Mangotes de transferência têm sido utilizados em grande quantidade em operações de descarga de óleo, principalmente em águas profundas, onde existem cargas estáticas e cíclicas variáveis devido ao ambiente de trabalho. Apesar da grande demanda dessas estruturas, seu comportamento é pouco conhecido e discutido na literatura devido a sua complexidade. Além disso, os materiais utilizados nesse equipamento podem ocasionar um elevado número de falhas, sendo muitas vezes superestimados, deixando o mangote com peso excessivo. Este trabalho objetiva o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia de análise de materiais poliméricos avançados, especificamente fibras de poliaramida e materiais compósitos à base de fibra de carbono, em substituição a materiais tradicionais, utilizando modelos numéricos capazes de prever o comportamento da pressão de ruptura das carcaças e resistência a compressão radial do mangote, além da avaliação em fadiga dos cordonéis à base de poliaramida dessas novas estruturas. Modelos em meso-escala foram desenvolvidos utilizando conceitos de hiperelasticidade e de critérios de falha de materiais compósitos para previsão das tensões e deformações locais em regiões críticas do mangote. Análises numéricas foram realizadas via elementos finitos com o software comercial para auxiliar a elaboração dos modelos e a realização dos cálculos numéricos. Foram realizados ensaios experimentais para validação desses modelos numéricos, bem como para a previsão do comportamento estático e em fadiga dos materiais envolvidos. Foram desenvolvidos dois modelos. Em um modelo foi aplicado pressão interna no mangote para previsão de ruptura das carcaças no qual tem o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho dos novos reforços de poliaramida. No outro modelo foi aplicada uma carga radial na seção central do mangote para prever a resistência ao esmagamento, no qual tem o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho do componente de sustentação em material compósito de fibra de carbono. Os resultados dos modelos numéricos apresentaram boa concordância com os resultados experimentais em grande parte das análises. Também se observou que os novos materiais apresentam um grande potencial de substituição dos materiais tradicionais, bem como um excelente comportamento frente a carregamentos estáticos e dinâmicos envolvidos na aplicação, sendo verificada diminuição significativa de peso e aumento do desempenho. / Offloading hoses have been extensively used at offloading oil operations, especially in deep water, where there are variable static and cyclic loads due to the working environment. Despite the great demand for these structures, their behavior is little known and discussed in the literature due to the complexity. In addition, the materials used in this equipment may lead to a high number of failures, being often overestimated, leading to excessive weight. This work aims to develop a methodology for analysis of advanced polymeric materials, specifically polyaramide fibers and carbon fiber composite materials, in the substitution of traditional materials, using numerical models able to predict the static behavior of the burst pressure of the carcasses and radial compression strength of the hose. In addition, fatigue tests were performed to evaluate the polyaramide cords of these new structures. Meso-scale models were developed using advanced hyperplastic and composite failure criteria concepts to predict local stresses and strains in critical regions of the hose. Numerical analyses were performed using finite elements with commercial software to aid the development of models and to carry out numerical calculations. Several experimental tests were performed to validate numerical models, as well as to forecast the static and fatigue behavior of the materials used. Two models were developed. A model is used to predict the burst pressure of the hose in order to evaluate the performance of the new polyaramide reinforcements cords. In the other model, a radial load was applied in the central section of the hose to predict the crushing strength, in which it has the aim of evaluating the performance of the load-bearing component made with carbon fiber composite material. The results of the computer models showed good agreement with the experimental results in most analyses. It was also found that the studied materials offered considerable potential for the substitution of traditional materials, as well as an excellent behavior under static and dynamic loads related to this application, with a significant weight reduction and increased performance of the new configurations over traditional hoses.

Mangotes de transferência têm sido utilizados em grande quantidade em operações de descarga de óleo, principalmente em águas profundas, onde existem cargas estáticas e cíclicas variáveis devido ao ambiente de trabalho. Apesar da grande demanda dessas estruturas, seu comportamento é pouco conhecido e discutido na literatura devido a sua complexidade. Além disso, os materiais utilizados nesse equipamento podem ocasionar um elevado número de falhas, sendo muitas vezes superestimados, deixando o mangote com peso excessivo. Este trabalho objetiva o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia de análise de materiais poliméricos avançados, especificamente fibras de poliaramida e materiais compósitos à base de fibra de carbono, em substituição a materiais tradicionais, utilizando modelos numéricos capazes de prever o comportamento da pressão de ruptura das carcaças e resistência a compressão radial do mangote, além da avaliação em fadiga dos cordonéis à base de poliaramida dessas novas estruturas. Modelos em meso-escala foram desenvolvidos utilizando conceitos de hiperelasticidade e de critérios de falha de materiais compósitos para previsão das tensões e deformações locais em regiões críticas do mangote. Análises numéricas foram realizadas via elementos finitos com o software comercial para auxiliar a elaboração dos modelos e a realização dos cálculos numéricos. Foram realizados ensaios experimentais para validação desses modelos numéricos, bem como para a previsão do comportamento estático e em fadiga dos materiais envolvidos. Foram desenvolvidos dois modelos. Em um modelo foi aplicado pressão interna no mangote para previsão de ruptura das carcaças no qual tem o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho dos novos reforços de poliaramida. No outro modelo foi aplicada uma carga radial na seção central do mangote para prever a resistência ao esmagamento, no qual tem o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho do componente de sustentação em material compósito de fibra de carbono. Os resultados dos modelos numéricos apresentaram boa concordância com os resultados experimentais em grande parte das análises. Também se observou que os novos materiais apresentam um grande potencial de substituição dos materiais tradicionais, bem como um excelente comportamento frente a carregamentos estáticos e dinâmicos envolvidos na aplicação, sendo verificada diminuição significativa de peso e aumento do desempenho. / Offloading hoses have been extensively used at offloading oil operations, especially in deep water, where there are variable static and cyclic loads due to the working environment. Despite the great demand for these structures, their behavior is little known and discussed in the literature due to the complexity. In addition, the materials used in this equipment may lead to a high number of failures, being often overestimated, leading to excessive weight. This work aims to develop a methodology for analysis of advanced polymeric materials, specifically polyaramide fibers and carbon fiber composite materials, in the substitution of traditional materials, using numerical models able to predict the static behavior of the burst pressure of the carcasses and radial compression strength of the hose. In addition, fatigue tests were performed to evaluate the polyaramide cords of these new structures. Meso-scale models were developed using advanced hyperplastic and composite failure criteria concepts to predict local stresses and strains in critical regions of the hose. Numerical analyses were performed using finite elements with commercial software to aid the development of models and to carry out numerical calculations. Several experimental tests were performed to validate numerical models, as well as to forecast the static and fatigue behavior of the materials used. Two models were developed. A model is used to predict the burst pressure of the hose in order to evaluate the performance of the new polyaramide reinforcements cords. In the other model, a radial load was applied in the central section of the hose to predict the crushing strength, in which it has the aim of evaluating the performance of the load-bearing component made with carbon fiber composite material. The results of the computer models showed good agreement with the experimental results in most analyses. It was also found that the studied materials offered considerable potential for the substitution of traditional materials, as well as an excellent behavior under static and dynamic loads related to this application, with a significant weight reduction and increased performance of the new configurations over traditional hoses.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A deficiÃncia hÃdrica em regiÃes semiÃridas, como o Nordeste do Brasil, representa um dos principais fatores limitantes ao desenvolvimento econÃmico, com graves consequÃncias sociais. Para garantir a conservaÃÃo dos recursos hÃdricos disponÃveis, à imprescindÃvel o controle de aÃÃes antrÃpicas que impactem negativamente a disponibilidade hÃdrica. Por exemplo, a ocupaÃÃo desordenada do solo e a utilizaÃÃo de prÃticas inadequadas na agricultura intensificam a erosÃo e o transporte de sedimentos, interferindo diretamente na disponibilidade hÃdrica. O assoreamento de reservatÃrios causa a reduÃÃo de sua capacidade de armazenamento e, consequentemente, sua capacidade de regularizar vazÃes com elevada garantia. O aporte de sedimentos a mananciais contribui tambÃm para a degradaÃÃo da qualidade da Ãgua, atravÃs do aumento da turbidez, o que provoca a reduÃÃo da concentraÃÃo de oxigÃnio dissolvido, e do enriquecimento de nutrientes. Adicionalmente, a erosÃo do solo à um dos principais fatores de degradaÃÃo ambiental, provocando a perda de nutrientes das camadas superficiais de solo. Portanto, uma avaliaÃÃo precisa dos fluxos de sedimento ao longo de sua trajetÃria à imprescindÃvel para a identificaÃÃo de Ãreas potencialmente erosivas e de locais onde predominam processos de deposiÃÃo. Para isso, faz-se necessÃrio o conhecimento das condiÃÃes de transporte dos sedimentos atravÃs e entre os diferentes compartimentos da bacia hidrogrÃfica. O potencial de movimento de uma partÃcula no sistema, denominado de conectividade no transporte de sedimentos, destaca-se como fator determinante para a compreensÃo e estimativa dos fluxos de massa sÃlida. De forma a se avaliar o efeito da conectividade sobre a produÃÃo de sedimentos na regiÃo semiÃrida do Brasil, realizou-se simulaÃÃo hidrossedimentolÃgica da bacia hidrogrÃfica de meso-escala do aÃude BenguÃ, CearÃ, utilizando-se o modelo WASA-SED. Constatou-se que, de um modo geral, o balanÃo de Ãgua no solo determina as condiÃÃes de geraÃÃo de escoamento na regiÃo de estudo: muito embora haja uma predominÃncia de iniciaÃÃo do escoamento superficial por processo Hortoniano, na escala de bacia hidrogrÃfica o excesso de precipitaÃÃo à percebido somente em eventos de grande magnitude ou apÃs sequÃncias de eventos chuvosos, quando a conectividade hidrolÃgica à elevada. Assim, as condiÃÃes de transporte limitam a produÃÃo de sedimentos, gerando padrÃes espaciais muito semelhantes de escoamento superficial e de produÃÃo de sedimentos. Na escala de bacia hidrogrÃfica, o padrÃo espacial de conectividade mostrou-se fortemente relacionado a caracterÃsticas hidrÃulicas do solo, enquanto que na escala de vertente, caracterÃsticas topogrÃficas locais desempenharam um papel mais importante no transporte de sedimentos. A simulaÃÃo de caracterÃsticas especÃficas do semiÃrido pelo modelo WASA-SED, tais como escoamento do tipo Hortoniano, reinfiltraÃÃo a jusante, redistribuiÃÃo lateral de escoamento e densa rede de reservatÃrios, permitiu a estimativa satisfatÃria dos fluxos de Ãgua e sedimentos tanto na bacia do Benguà (933 kmÂ) como na sub-bacia de Aiuaba (12 kmÂ). Um teste mais rigoroso foi realizado com o uso da tÃcnica de CÃsio-137 como traÃador de erosÃo/deposiÃÃo de sedimentos. A comparaÃÃo entre valores modelados e medidos com 137Cs em uma vertente representativa demonstrou boa correlaÃÃo entre os valores. Apesar de se tratar de um resultado local, tal comparaÃÃo indica que o modelo WASA-SED simule os fluxos de sedimento de maneira satisfatÃria tambÃm na escala de vertente / Water deficit in semiarid regions, such as the Northeastern Brazil, is a major limiting factor to economic development, with serious social consequences. To ensure the conservation of the available water resources, it is essential to control the human activities that impact negatively on water availability. For instance, uncontrolled soil use and improper agricultural practices, tend to intensify erosion and sediment transport processes, with direct impacts on water availability. Reservoirs siltation causes a reduction of the storage capacity and, hence, of the ability to supply water with high reliability. Sediment input to water bodies also contributes to water quality degradation, by increasing turbidity, which results in a reduction of the concentration of dissolved oxygen, and nutrient enrichment. In addition, soil erosion is a major factor of environmental degradation, causing the loss of nutrients of the top soil layers. Therefore, an accurate assessment of sediment fluxes along its pathway is essential for the identification of potentially erosive areas and regions where deposition processes predominate. For such estimation, a good understanding of the conditions of sediment transport through and between the different catchment compartments is necessary. The potential for movement of the soil particles within the system, denominated connectivity in sediment transport, stands out as a determining factor for the understanding and estimation of the flow of solid mass. In order to evaluate the effect of connectivity on sediment yield in the semiarid region of Brazil, a hydrosedimentological simulation of the Benguà meso-scale catchment (CearÃ, Brazil) was carried out with the WASA-SED model. It was found that, in general, water balance in the soil matrix determinates the conditions for runoff generation in the study area: although there is a predominance of surface runoff initiation by Hortonian process, in the catchment scale, excess precipitation is observed only in events of great magnitude or sequences of rain events, when hydrological connectivity is high. Thus, the transport conditions limit sediment yield, generating very similar spatial patterns of runoff and sediment yield. At the catchment scale, the spatial pattern of connectivity was strongly related to soil hydraulic properties, while topographic characteristics played a more important role in sediment transport at the finer scale. The simulation of specific features of semiarid regions by the WASA-SED model, such as Hortonian-type flow, downstream re-infiltration of surface runoff, lateral flow redistribution and dense network of reservoirs, allowed a satisfactory estimate of both water and sediments fluxes in the Benguà catchment (933 km Â), as well as in the Aiuaba sub-basin (12 km Â). A more rigorous test was performed with the technique of Cesium-137 as a tracer of soil erosion/deposition. A comparison between modelled and measured (with 137Cs) values in a representative hillslope showed good correlation between the values. Even though it is a local result, this comparison indicates that the WASA-SED model must be able to simulate sediment fluxes satisfactorily also in the hillslope scale

Lors de l'élaboration de pièces métalliques de grandes dimensions, la présence interne de pores est habituellement observée. Ces défauts internes sont généralement refermés lors des premières passes de transformation à chaud. Il y a cependant à l‘heure actuelle un manque de connaissance sur les mécanismes mis en jeu lors de cette refermeture, et par conséquent aucune prédiction précise possible et un taux de rebut assez important. Le travail présenté dans ce manuscrit vise à mieux comprendre les mécanismes de refermeture en identifiant les paramètres procédés, matériaux et morphologiques clés lors de la refermeture. Ce travail s'est déroulé dans le cadre d'un consortium industriel impliquant six partenaires. La problématique industrielle est donc particulièrement variée en termes de matériaux, de procédés et d'états initiaux de pores.Une étude approfondie des modèles existants dans la littérature est d'abord présentée. Les deux familles d'approches utilisées sont discutées : l'approche explicite en champ complet, et l'approche micro-analytique. Il est montré que ces deux approches ne sont pas suffisantes pour établir un modèle de prédiction dont la précision réponde aux enjeux industriels.Une nouvelle approche est donc proposée dans cette thèse à l'échelle mésoscopique. Les mécanismes de refermeture sont étudiés à l'échelle d'un volume élémentaire représentatif (VER), permettant une description 3D particulièrement précise des mécanismes locaux, tout en appliquant des conditions aux limites représentatives des états mécaniques mis en jeu à l'échelle macroscopique.Les mécanismes locaux ont été étudiés au moyen d'une vaste campagne de simulations éléments-finis 3D à l'échelle d'un VER. Les paramètres étudiés sont : les paramètres matériaux, la morphologie du pore, et le chargement thermomécanique subit durant la déformation. L'étude a montré que la morphologie et l'état de contraintes sont de premier ordre sur le comportement en refermeture, et que les paramètres matériaux sont de second ordre. Les influences des paramètres de premier ordre ont ensuite été quantifiées afin de proposer un modèle de prédiction de refermeture robuste. La morphologie du pore est exprimée par le biais de ses dimensions équivalentes (rapports d'élongations tridimensionnels) et de son orientation par rapport à la direction principale de déformation. L'état de contraintes est exprimé par le taux de triaxialité des contraintes.Le modèle a finalement été implémenté dans un code éléments finis de mise en forme et une validation sur cas industriels est présentée afin d'évaluer les bénéfices obtenus par ce nouveau modèle par rapport aux modèles de la littérature. Une validation expérimentale a également été menée par le biais d'essais d'écrasements d'échantillons poreux dont l'état de porosité a été mesuré par micro-tomographie aux rayons X avant et après les essais. / During production of large metal workpieces, an internal presence of voids is usually observed. Such internal defaults are generally closed up during the first passes of hot forming processes. Yet, there is at present a lack of knowledge regarding void closure mechanisms and there is no reliable model that can accurately predict void closure. The amount of non-deliverable products is consequently relatively high. The present work aims to better understand void closure mechanisms with respect to the involved materials, processes and voids' morphological parameters. This work was supported by an industrial consortium involving six partners. The industrial issues were thus particularly diversified in terms of materials, processes and initial void states.An extensive study regarding existing models in the literature is first presented. Two main approaches are discussed: the explicit full-field approach and the micro-analytical approach. It is shown that none of both approaches is sufficient to precisely predict void closure according to the industrial issues.A new approach is thus proposed at the mesoscale. Void closure mechanisms are studied using a representative volume element (RVE). Using this approach an accurate tridimensional description of the void state can be obtained at the RVE scale. Boundary conditions can also be imposed in order to accurately represent thermomechanical conditions from the macro-scale.Local mechanisms of void closure are studied using a large campaign of 3D finite element simulations at the RVE-scale. The studied parameters are: the materials parameters, the void's morphology and the thermomechanical loading that a void might undergo during hot forming processes. The study shows that both the void's morphology and the stress state exhibit a first-order influence on void closure. Materials parameters exhibit a second-order influence on void closure. A new reliable prediction model is thus proposed with respect to the first-order parameters. The void's morphology is quantitatively studied in terms of equivalent dimensions (tridimensional aspect ratios), and orientation (with respect to principal deformation direction). The stress state is expressed using the stress triaxiality ratio.The proposed model was finally implemented in a material forming finite element software. Validation cases are presented using industrial processes in order to highlight the benefits and limitations of this new model with respect to the existing models from the literature. An experimental validation was also performed using compression tests of porous samples. The samples were examined using X-ray micro-tomography before and after compression.

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) provide exciting opportunities for miniature actuation systems. As SMA actuators are scaled down in size, cooling increases and bandwidth, improves. However, the inclusion of a bias element with which to cycle the SMA actuator becomes difficult at very small scales. One technique used to avoid the necessity of having to include a separate bias element is the use of local annealing to fabricate a monolithic device out of nickel titanium (NiTi). The actuator geometry is machined out of a single piece of non-annealed NiTi. After locally annealing a portion of the complete device, that section exhibits the shape memory effect while the remainder acts as structural support and provides the bias force required for cycling. This work proposes one such locally-annealed monolithic SMA actuator for future incorporation in a device that navigates the digestive tract. After detailing the derivation of lumped electro-mechanical models for the actuator, a description of the prototyping procedure, including fabrication and local annealing of the actuator, is provided. This thesis presents the experimental prototype actuator behaviour and compares it with simulations generated using the developed models.

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) provide exciting opportunities for miniature actuation systems. As SMA actuators are scaled down in size, cooling increases and bandwidth, improves. However, the inclusion of a bias element with which to cycle the SMA actuator becomes difficult at very small scales. One technique used to avoid the necessity of having to include a separate bias element is the use of local annealing to fabricate a monolithic device out of nickel titanium (NiTi). The actuator geometry is machined out of a single piece of non-annealed NiTi. After locally annealing a portion of the complete device, that section exhibits the shape memory effect while the remainder acts as structural support and provides the bias force required for cycling. This work proposes one such locally-annealed monolithic SMA actuator for future incorporation in a device that navigates the digestive tract. After detailing the derivation of lumped electro-mechanical models for the actuator, a description of the prototyping procedure, including fabrication and local annealing of the actuator, is provided. This thesis presents the experimental prototype actuator behaviour and compares it with simulations generated using the developed models.

Předkládaná práce se zabývá matematickým modelováním chování betonu. K numerické analýze je použit diskrétní částicový model. Tento model zjednodušuje meso-strukturu materiálu na systém propojených diskrétních částic -- konvexních mnohostěnů. Tyto částice jsou uvažovány ideálně tuhé a jejich vzájemná interakce je předepsána na kontaktech sousedních částic. Při hledání nespojitého pole posunů a rotací jsou zjednodušeně předpokládány malé deformace. Práce popisuje dvě rozšíření implementovaná do stávající verze modelu, konkrétně (i) přidání reprezentace krátké rozptýlené výztuže a (ii) implicitní dynamický řešič. První z hlavních částí práce se zabývá modelováním kompozitů s krátkou rozptýlenou výztuží. Krátká vlákna rozptýlená v materiálu přispívají k zlepšení jinak nepříznivé tahové pevnosti betonu. Vlákna jsou v částicovém modelu reprezentována nepřímo, zohledněním tření mezi vláknem a cementovou matricí silami, které působí proti otevírání trhlin. S pomocí tohoto rozšíření model dokáže předpovídat chování vláknobetonu zahrnující tahové zpevnění i navýšení počtu trhlin. Druhá z hlavních částí se zabývá odezvou materiálu na dynamické zatížení. Beton vykazuje rozdílné chování pro různé rychlosti zatěžování. V případě pomalého, kvazi-statického, zatěžování se počáteční mikro-trhliny lokalizují v makro-trhlinu. Dochází-li k rychlému zatěžování, energie nahromaděná v tělese není spotřebována pouze jednou trhlinou, ale dochází k jejímu větvení. V případě rychlých procesů je hlavním faktorem setrvačnost hmoty, která je zatížením urychlována. Struktura materiálu a setrvačnost částic je v mezo-úrovňovém diskrétním modelu zahrnuta. Přesto ale další jevy probíhající pod rozlišovací úrovní modelu ovlivňují výsledné chování materiálu. Proto je do modelu přidána fenomenologická závislost konstitutivního zákona na rychlosti přetváření. Numerické simulace těles rozličných tvarů zatěžovaných různou rychlostí deformace jsou porovnány s experimenty z literatury.

This paper reports a numerical approach for modelling the thermal behavior and heat accumulation/liberation of sustainable cementitious composites made with Recycled Brick Aggregates (RBAs) employed as carriers for Phase-Change Materials (PCMs). In the framework of the further development of the fixed grid modelling method, classically employed for solving the well-known Stefan problem, an enthalpy-based approach and an apparent calorific capacity method have been proposed and validated. More specifically, the results of an experimental program, following an advanced incorporation and immobilization technique, developed at the Institut für Werkstoffe im Bauwesen for investigating the thermal responses of various combinations of PCM-RBAs, have been considered as the benchmark to calibrate/validate the numerical results. Promising numerical results have been obtained, and temperature simulations showed good agreement with the experimental data of the analyzed mixtures.

This work presents a systematic study of the mechanochemical processes leading to chemical reactions occurring due to effects of high-strain-rate deformation associated with uniaxial strain and uniaxial stress impact loading in highly heterogeneous metal powder-based reactive materials, specifically compacted mixtures of Ti/Al/B powders. This system was selected because of the large exothermic heat of reaction in the Ti+2B reaction, which can support the subsequent Al-combustion reaction. The unique deformation state achievable by such high-pressure loading methods can drive chemical reactions, mediated by microstructure-dependent meso-scale phenomena. Design of the next generation of multifunctional energetic structural materials (MESMs) consisting of metal-metal mixtures requires an understanding of the mechanochemical processes leading to chemical reactions under dynamic loading to properly engineer the materials. The highly heterogeneous and hierarchical microstructures inherent in compacted powder mixtures further complicate understanding of the mechanochemical origins of shock-induced reaction events due to the disparate length and time scales involved. A two-pronged approach is taken where impact experiments in both the uniaxial stress (rod-on-anvil Taylor impact experiments) and uniaxial strain (instrumented parallel-plate gas-gun experiments) load configurations are performed in conjunction with highly-resolved microstructure-based simulations replicating the experimental setup. The simulations capture the bulk response of the powder to the loading, and provide a look at the meso-scale deformation features observed under conditions of uniaxial stress or strain. Experiments under uniaxial stress loading reveal an optimal stoichiometry for Ti+2B mixtures containing up to 50% Al by volume, based on a reduced impact velocity threshold required for impact-induced reaction initiation as evidenced by observation of light emission. Uniaxial strain experiments on the Ti+2B binary mixture show possible expanded states in the powder at pressures greater than 6 GPa, consistent with the Ballotechnic hypothesis for shock-induced chemical reactions. Rise-time dispersive signatures are consistently observed under uniaxial strain loading, indicating complex compaction phenomena, which are reproducible by the meso-scale simulations. The simulations show the prevalence of shear banding and particle agglomeration in the uniaxial stress case, providing a possible rationale for the lower observed reaction threshold. Bulk shock response is captured by the uniaxial strain meso-scale simulations and is compared with PVDF stress gauge and VISAR traces to validate the simulation scheme. The simulations also reveal the meso-mechanical origins of the wave dispersion experimentally recorded by PVDF stress gauges.

Cette thèse est dédiée à la caractérisation des vents descendants de vallée en terrain complexe d'orographie modérée à moyenne latitude, dans le contexte de la réglementation des rejets atmosphériques de Cadarache. Cadarache est un des centres de recherche du "Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives" (CEA), installé dans une petite vallée (CV) confluente à la vallée de la Durance (DV). Ces deux vallées se distinguent par leur taille, et sont le siège d'écoulements aux caractéristiques différentes en stratification stable. Un forçage synoptique faible associé à un ciel dégagé sont dans la région des conditions fréquentes qui favorisent la stabilité atmosphérique et consécutivement la mauvaise dispersion des polluants, faisant de cette situation un sujet d'intérêt majeur. La campagne de mesure KASCADE (KAtabatic winds and Stability over CAdarache for Dispersion of Effluents) constitue le volet expérimental de l'étude. Réalisée pendant l'hiver 2013 elle a couvert 3 mois d'observation continue et complétée de 23 périodes d'observation intensive (POI). L'analyse montre que les écoulements descendant les vallées de Cadarache (CDV) et de la Durance (DDV) dominent pendant toute la période d'étude. La stabilité s'installant dès le coucher du soleil, le courant CDV s'épaissit progressivement. Le profil de vent en forme de jet présente son maximum à environ 30 m où il atteint 2 à 3 m s-1. Il se maintient toute la nuit et disparaît avec l'inversion de stabilité. Comme la station météorologique du centre manque de capteur de vent dans la CV même, une méthode a été développée pour diagnostiquer le CDV en exploitant l'instrumentation actuelle. Ainsi, si la prévision de ce vent n'est pas à la portée du modèle méso-échelle WRF avec une résolution kilométrique, cette méthode le permet en combinant une descente d'échelle dynamique et statistique. Le vent DDV est identifié comme un vent qui suit l'axe de la vallée, fortement corrélé à la stabilité à l'échelle régionale car il n'apparaît que la nuit lorsque le forçage synoptique est faible. Ce vent n'arrive à Cadarache que 6 à 9 heures après le coucher du soleil avec une grande variabilité. D'un autre côté, il est à son maximum au lever du soleil avant que les processus convectifs ne démarrent, et présente un jet autour de 200 m avec des vitesses de 4 à 8 m s-1 et dont la hauteur est corrélée à la profondeur de la vallée. Dans les simulations avec WRF, malgré des défauts, la DV étant bien résolue avec une maille de 1 km, l'occurrence de ce vent est assez bien simulée. Par ailleurs l'examen de ses caractéristiques spatiales montre qu'il s'agit soit d'un écoulement de drainage, soit d'un écoulement canalisé forcé. Bien qu'on ne dispose pas de données suffisantes pour élucider le mécanisme dominant de déclenchement du vent DDV, les deux précédemment identifiés sont de bons candidats. / Stable stratification can be one of the most penalizing condition concerning pollutants in the atmospheric boundary layer. Over complex terrain under these conditions, the relief may modify the flow. Therefore the knowledge of down-valley wind characteristics influencing the wind field at Cadarache and its close surroundings is crucial for safety regulation in the context of sanitary impact of the site. Cadarache is a CEA research centre and located in the Prealps of southeast France. It is embedded in a small valley, the Cadarache Valley (CV), which is one of the tributaries of the larger Durance Valley (DV). The two valleys are distinct in size and therefore react differently to stable conditions, and are investigated by means of observations (field experiment KASCADE : KAtabatic winds and Stability over CADarache for Dispersion of Effluents) and simulations (the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model). To investigate the valley wind behaviour, the KASCADE campaign has been designed and conducted in the winter of 2013, covering a 3-month period and 23 intensive observation periods (IOP). It resulted in a well-documented campaign, from which the analysis shows that the Cadarache and Durance down-valley (CDV and DDV respectively) winds are both dominant flows during the period of investigation. The CDV wind is a thermally driven flow, with regular wind speeds up to 2 - 3 m s-1 up to 50 m agl. It persists throughout the night and disappears in the early morning with the stability. The current observational network of Cadarache lacks means of measurement for inside CDV wind. This work shows that it can be nowcasted from available meteorological tower observations. Due to the CV small scale, currently a wind forecast on kilometer resolution is out of reach, but the methodology developed here can be used to forecast the wind through a combination of dynamical and statistical downscaling. The DDV wind has been recognized as down-valley oriented, and strongly related to stability at a regional scale, as it exists only after sunset when synoptic forcing is very weak. DDV wind arrival at Cadarache is mostly observed 6 to 9 hours after sunset, but however dominantly present around sunrise, when convectively driven processes are not yet established. Jets are observed mostly at around 200 m agl with wind speeds between 4 and 8 m s-1. Despite some (general) deficiencies of the WRF model, the DDV wind is simulated close to reality thanks to the 1-km resolution allowing a correct representation of the Durance valley orography. The ensemble of 23 simulated IOPs allowed further to characterize the flow in a spatial sense and to recognize drainage and flow channelling as most important candidates for the flow mechanism.