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An annoying tonal noise is produced by modern electrical trains duringacceleration and deceleration. This noise is caused by electromagneticforces generating structural vibrations, especially from the traction motors.The electromagnetic noise is dominant at low train speeds and affectsboth the passengers on the train and on platforms, as well as peopleliving near the track. The focus on this issue has increased the last years,both regarding legislation, contractual requirements and also because ofexpectations from citizens and travelers. To be able to design low noiseelectric drive systems, a thorough understanding of the cause and thepossibility to predict the electromagnetic noise is needed. This thesisdescribes the modelling and simulation of an complete multi-physicsreal-time environment for prediction and analysis of the electromagneticnoise. The simulation results are validated against measurements of thestructural vibration and acoustic response of a real traction motor fed bya power converter running in the entire operational range. / <p>QC 20161118</p>

This dissertation presents an experimentally supported multi-physics model of a dielectric barrier discharge boundary layer flow control actuator. The model is independent of empirical data about the specific behavior of the system. This model contributes to the understanding of the specific mechanisms that enable the actuator to induce flow control. The multi-physics numerical model couples a fluid model, a chemistry model, and an electrostatics model. The chemistry model has been experimentally validated against known spectroscopic techniques, and the fluid model has been experimentally validated against the time-resolved shadowgraphy. The model demonstrates the capability to replicate emergent flow structures near a wall. These structures contribute to momentum transport that enhance the boundary layer’s wall attachment and provide for better flow control. An experiment was designed to validate the model predictions. The spectroscopic results confirmed the model predictions of an electron temperature of 0.282eV and an electron number density of 65.5 × 10⁻¹²kmol/m³ matching to within a relative error of 12.4% and 14.8%, respectively. The shadowgraphic results also confirmed the model predicted velocities of flow structures of 3.75m/s with a relative error of 10.9%. The distribution of results from both experimental and model velocity calculations strongly overlap each other. This validated model provides new and useful information on the effect of Dielectric Barrier Discharge actuators on flow control and performance. This work was supported in part by NSF grant CNS-0960081 and the HokieSpeed supercomputer at Virginia Tech. / Ph. D.

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This research has focused on understanding the mechanicPhysics and chemistry based constitutive framework for thermo-chemo-mechanical responses of polymeric materialsPhysics and Chemistry Based Constitutive Framework for Thermo-Chemo-Mechanical Responses of Polymeric Materialss and multi-physics of soft materials with rate-and temperature-dependent matrices. Such materials are oftentimes exposed to extreme environmental conditions such as Ultra-Violet (UV) light, elevated temperatures, and oxygen which degenerate their mechanical properties and contribute to their permanent failure. The irreversible changes in the mechanical response of polymers induced by such deleterious processes is commonly referred to as polymer aging. The ultimate goal of this work has been to identify the relevant damage processes affecting the lifetime of polymeric materials, and to develop predictive physics- and chemistry-based, thermodynamically consistent constitutive frameworks to evaluate their response under extreme environmental condition. A series of interconnected experimental, theoretical, and numerical studies were developed regarding the chemical, morphological, and mechanical changes that polymers and elastomers exhibit under thermo-photo-chemo-mechanical conditions. Emphasis was placed on linking the aggravation of macrostructural changes (such as cross-link breakage/formation and transformation of linkages) to the macromechanical response of aged polymers, and the development of a mathematically verifiable procedure for incorporating stored and dissipated energies – obtained through chemical experiments – into the thermodynamic formalism. Fracture was considered using the phase-field approach to brittle failure through development of robust and efficient numerical algorithms intended to solve the highly coupled and nonlinear displacement-damage problems. Results demonstrate that several chemical characterization tests such as equilibrium swelling, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCMD-D), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) can indeed reveal crucial information regarding the physio-chemical changes manifested within polymer networks. Information obtained from these tests can then be employed to propose accurate predictive evolution functions for the mechanical as well as the fracture properties towards a complete physics- and chemistry-based constitutive framework. Numerical analyses were performed within finite element software Abaqus via several user-element and user-material subroutines (UEL, VUMAT) to investigate the predictive capabilities of the developed frameworks in describing complex loading configurations including fracture. The developed constitutive frameworks are all thermodynamics-based and rely solely on the outputs obtained through appropriate chemical characterization techniques. Not only are the predicted results highly accurate, but also and most importantly, the developed constitutive equations are completely self-contained and bypass the need for extra fitting variables. / Doctor of Philosophy / Material science is a fundamental field of research. Understanding how materials behave under various operating conditions can help scientists and engineers propose efficient and economical designs with the aim of potentially establishing a robust foundation for our infrastructure. This work focused on the study and prediction of the deleterious effects of several environmental factors such as elevated temperature, Ultra-Violet (UV) light, and oxygen on the mechanical and failure responses of polymer systems. Several interconnected experimental, theoretical, and numerical studies were developed with the aim of characterizing the chemical, morphological, and mechanical changes that such material systems exhibit under coupled dissipation phenomena. In particular, this research aimed to investigate the aggravation of macrostructural changes that manifested themselves within polymer systems upon exposure to thermo-oxidation and photo-oxidation. Predictive constitutive frameworks were developed based on principles of thermodynamics and continuum damage theories to understand the effects that heterogeneous aging has on the mechanical and fracture responses of these materials. Results achieved in this work helped fill several gaps on both the theoretical as well as numerical sides towards a complete physics and chemistry-based constitutive framework for the analysis of multi-physics phenomena in soft materials. Overall, results shed light on our understanding of the aging process and the predictive capabilities of our proposed equations in describing such degenerative processes as thermo-chemo-mechanical aging. Findings from this work will contribute to the design of high-performance polymers in other applications such as implanted bio-medical devices. Ultimately, describing aging under extreme environmental conditions will contribute to the understanding and prediction of plastic fragmentation processes and therefore, microplastic pollution.

This thesis highlights one of the most significant concerns that has preoccupied drivetrain engineers in recent times, namely drivetrain clonk. Clonk is an unacceptable audible sound, which is accompanied by a tactile drivetrain response. This may occur under several different driving conditions. Many drivetrain NVH concerns are related to impact loading of subsystems down-line of engine. These concerns are induced by power torque surge through engagement and disengagement processes, which may propagate through various transmission paths as structural waves. The coincidence of these waves with the acoustic modes of sub-system components leads to audible responses, referred to as clonk. The approach usually undertaken and reported in literature is either purely theoretical or constitutes experimental observation of vehicle conditions. A few research workers have reported rig-based investigations, but not under fully dynamic conditions with controlled and reproducible impulsive action. The research reported in this thesis combines experimental and numerical investigation of high frequency behaviour of light truck drivetrain systems, when subjected to sudden impulsive action, due to driver behaviour. The problem is treated as a multi-physics interactive phenomenon under transient conditions. The devised numerical method combines multi-body dynamics, structural modal analysis, impact dynamics in lash zones and acoustic analysis within an overall investigation framework. A representative drivetrain system rig is designed and implemented, and controlled tests simulating driver behaviour undertaken. The combined numerical predictions and experimental noise and vibration monitoring has highlighted the fundamental aspects of drivetrain behaviour. Good agreement is' also found between the detailed numerical approach and the experimental findings. Novel methods of measurement such as Laser Doppler Vibrometery have been employed. Simultaneous measurements of vibration and noise radiation confirm significant elasto-acoustic coupling at high impact energy levels. One of the major finds of the thesis is the complex nature of the clonk signal, being a combination of accelerative and ringing noise, with the latter also comprising of many other lower energy content as observed in the case of transmission rattle and bearing-induced responses. Therefore, the link between rattle and clonk, long suspected, but not hitherto shown has been confirmed in the thesis. Another major find of particular commercial interest is the insignificant contribution of torsional damping devices such as dual mass flywheels upon the accelerative component of the clonk response.

Dans le contexte des moteurs électriques automobiles, les phénomènes vibratoires d'origine magnétique soulèvent une problématique relativement récente. L'objectif de cette thèse est la mise au point d'un modèle multi-physique pertinent d'une machine électrique afin de réaliser quelques études spécifiques, d'optimiser la machine et de prendre en compte la variabilité du comportement vibratoire. La modélisation numérique s'appuie totalement sur des formulations analytiques afin de bien maîtriser les différentes physiques. Des mesures expérimentales sur la machine permettent une confrontation avec le modèle numérique multi-physique et une validation des choix de modélisation. Dans ce contexte de modélisation multi-physique, un outil de couplage est développé entre les modèles 2D électromagnétique et 3D mécanique afin d'évaluer les comportements vibratoires d'origine électromagnétique de la machine. Une attention particulière a été portée à la prise en compte des forces magnétiques radiales et surtout tangentielles sur le stator de la machine électrique. Une méthode d'optimisation, basée sur le principe d'une surface de réponse dynamique, est appliquée sur le modèle électromagnétique afin d'améliorer des paramètres de conception de la machine. Les incertitudes liées à la conception sont souvent nombreuses, notamment dans le domaine vibratoire. A cet effet, la méthode MSP (Modal Stability Procedure) prenant en compte la variabilité des paramètres matériaux est proposée. La formulation MSP pour l'élément 3D hexaédrique est développée et appliquée au stator électrique afin d'évaluer la variabilité des fréquences propres et des fonctions de réponse en fréquence. / In the context of automotive electric motors, vibratory phenomena of magnetic origin arise relatively recent problems. the aim of this thesis is to develop a relevant multi-physic model of the electrical machine to perform some specific studies, to optimize the design of the machine and to take into account the variability of the vibration behavior. Numerical model is too based on analytical formulations in order to monitor the different physics. Experimental measurements on the machine are used to validate the numerical multi-physics model. In this context of multi-physic modeling, a coupling tool is developed between the 2D electromagnetic and 3D mechanical models, in order to evaluate the vibratory behavior of electomagnetic origin of the machine. A special attention was given in modeling of radial and especially tangential magnetic forces on the electric stator. An optimization method based on a dynamic response surface is applied to the electromagnetic model in order to improve the design of the machine. Uncertainties associated to the design are numerous, especially in the vibratory field. In this context, we proposed the MSP method (Modal Stability Procedure), which taking into account the variability of the material parameters. The MSP formulation for 3D hexahedral finite element is developed an applied to the electric staor, in order to evaluate the variability of the natural frequencies and the frequency response functions.

Les sels fondus ont récemment été proposés comme milieux caloporteurs à haute température. Dans l'industrie nucléaire, le concept de réacteur à sels fondus (MSR en anglais) est le seul concept de quatrième génération qui propose l'utilisation d'un sel fondu liquide comme combustible nucléaire. Cette innovation présente des aspects positifs pour la conception et la sûreté nucléaire, mais impose de nouveaux défis. Le réacteur rapide à sels fondus (MSFR en anglais) est un concept qui est actuellement étudié dans le projet européen H2020 SAMOFAR, incluant le développement et la validation expérimentale (dans la plateforme expérimentale SWATH) de modèles plus performants pour les sels fondus : tel est l'objectif de ce travail de thèse. En outre les modèles développés peuvent s'appliquer à d'autres MSRs et à d'autres applications énergétiques utilisant des sels fondus comme milieux caloporteurs.La thèse suivante est divisée en trois parties :Premièrement, le développement de modèles pour décrire de façon réaliste certains des phénomènes thermiques microscopiques et macroscopiques associés à l’utilisation de sels liquides fondus comme milieux caloporteurs. Cette partie comprend l’utilisation et le développement de nouveaux modèles neutroniques pour étudier la production d'énergie nucléaire, ainsi que la modélisation des phénomènes turbulents dans les sels fondus, l’étude de l’interaction du rayonnement thermique et la turbulence dans les sels fondus. Enfin, cette partie traite également du développement d’une approche multi-échelle pour l'étude précise de la solidification/fusion dans les sels.Deuxièmement, la conception et la mise en œuvre d’expériences dédiées à la validation de ces modèles. Deux expériences clés ont été conçues au cours de cette thèse et ont été implémentées dans la plate-forme SWATH. L'objectif de ces expériences est d'étudier le comportement de différents modèles de turbulence et de tester les modèles de solidification développés dans les sels fondus.Troisièmement, les modèles développés ont été couplés dans une plateforme multi-physique pour l'étude précise du transitoire drainant du MSFR. / Molten salts have been recently proposed as high-temperature heat carrier media for energy applications. In the nuclear industry, the Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) are the only fourth generation concept proposing the usage of a liquid nuclear fuel. This innovative aspect allows proposing improved safety and design features, but it leads to novel challenges. In particular, the Molten Salt Fast Reactor (MSFR) is a MSR concept that is currently being studied in the H2020 European project SAMOFAR. Among the project activities, there are the development of more performant molten salts models and their experimental validation through the SWATH platform. This is the objective of the present thesis. However, the models developed are appropriate for other MSRs and other energy applications using molten salts as heat carrier media.The following thesis is divided into three parts.The first part is dedicated to the development of models for describing realistically some of the microscopic and macroscopic thermal phenomena associated with the usage of liquid molten salts as heat carrier media. This part includes the development and implementation of neutronic models to study nuclear power production in the MSFR, the study of turbulence and turbulence-radiation interaction in molten salt flows and the development of a multiscale approach to model the solidification/melting phenomena in salts.The second part is devoted to the design and implementation of dedicated experiments for validating these models. Two key experiments are addressed: an experiment to study the behavior of different turbulence models after a boundary layer detachment and one to test the multiscale solidification models developed for molten salts.The third part is committed to the coupling of the models developed into a multiphysics platform for the precise study of the draining transient of the MSFR.

Nos travaux s’inscrivent dans le contexte global de la transition énergétique et de l’émergence des micro-réseaux, et de leur capacité, à terme, d’intégrer la production distribuée d’énergie tout en assurant la stabilité et la qualité du service. Parmi les technologies émergentes, les procédés Power-To-Gaz et en particulier le Power-to-Methane que nous étudions ici (production de CH4 à partir de l’électricité, en passant par H2 et CO2) ont l’avantage : d’absorber le surplus de production électrique, de récupérer et valoriser les émissions de CO2, et d’offrir des capacités de stockage importantes et de longue durée.Notre problématique porte sur la modélisation et la simulation d’un système PtM avec comme objectif d’assurer la continuité d’alimentation en CH4, ainsi que la sécurité du système en fonctionnement.Dans un premier temps nous effectuons le choix de technologies adaptées afin de déterminer la structure d’un système PtM avant de dimensionner ce système. Nous nous appuyons sur la modélisation REM (Représentation Energétique Macroscopique) pour intégrer les comportements physiques des équipements du système en régime stationnaire, mais également en régime transitoire, en prenant en compte des phases comme : le démarrage, le préchauffage…, et ainsi simuler le fonctionnement de ce système.Dans un second temps, nous développons une stratégie de gestion d’énergie multiniveaux afin de garantir le bon fonctionnement des équipements et du système dans sa globalité. Nous choisissons de la mettre en œuvre à travers la proposition d’un système multi-agents (SMA) et nous modélisons chacun des agents. Nous implémentons partiellement ce SMA et nous le simulons en connexion avec le modèle REM du système PtM pour montrer la faisabilité de notre approche. / Our work is concerned with energy transition and the emergence of micro-grids and their ability to integrate distributed power generation while at the same time ensure stability and service quality. Among the emerging technologies, the Power to Gas process and in particular the Power to Methane process which we are addressing here (production of CH4 from electricity, via H2 and CO2), have the advantage of absorbing surplus of electricity production, recovering CO2 emissions, as well as offering significant and long-term storage capacity.Our concern was in relation to the modeling and simulation of a PtM system with the objective of ensuring the continuity of CH4 supply and ensuring the safety of the system in operation.First, we chose the appropriate technologies to determine the structure of a PtM system before sizing this system. We utilised the REM modeling (Energetic Macroscopic Representation) to integrate the physical behaviors of the equipment of the system in a steady state, and in a transient state, taking into account phases like starting, preheating…, and ultimately the simulation of the operation system.In the second phase, we developed a multilevel energy management strategy to ensure the proper working order of each piece of equipment and of the global system. We chose to implement it through a multi-agent system (MAS) and we modeled each one of the agents. We partially implemented the MAS and simulated it with the REM model of the PtM system to show the feasibility of our approach.

The objective of this study is to develop a robust portable nano-calorimeter sensor for detection of energetic materials, primarily explosives, combustible materials and propellants. A micro-cantilever sensor array is actuated thermally using bi-morph structure consisting of gold (Au: 400 nm) and silicon nitride (Si3N4: 600 nm) thin film layers of sub-micron thickness. An array of micro-heaters is integrated with the microcantilevers at their base. On electrically activating the micro-heaters at different actuation currents the microcantilevers undergo thermo-mechanical deformation, due to differential coefficient of thermal expansion. This deformation is tracked by monitoring the reflected ray from a laser illuminating the individual microcantilevers (i.e., using the optical lever principle). In the presence of explosive vapors, the change in bending response of microcantilever is affected by the induced thermal stresses arising from temperature changes due to adsorption and combustion reactions (catalyzed by the gold surface). A parametric study was performed for investigating the optimum values by varying the thickness and length in parallel with the heater power since the sensor sensitivity is enhanced by the optimum geometry as well as operating conditions for the sensor (e.g., temperature distribution within the microcantilever, power supply, concentration of the analyte, etc.). Also, for the geometry present in this study the nano-coatings of high thermal conductivity materials (e.g., Carbon Nanotubes: CNTs) over the microcantilever surface enables maximizing the thermally induced stress, which results in the enhancement of sensor sensitivity. For this purpose, CNTs are synthesized by post-growth method over the metal (e.g., Palladium Chloride: PdCl2) catalyst arrays pre-deposited by Dip-Pen Nanolithography (DPN) technique. The threshold current for differential actuation of the microcantilevers is correlated with the catalytic activity of a particular explosive (combustible vapor) over the metal (Au) catalysts and the corresponding vapor pressure. Numerical modeling is also explored to study the variation of temperature, species concentration and deflection of individual microcantilevers as a function of actuation current. Joule-heating in the resistive heating elements was coupled with the gaseous combustion at the heated surface to obtain the temperature profile and therefore the deflection of a microcantilever by calculating the thermally induced stress and strain relationship. The sensitivity of the threshold current of the sensor that is used for the specific detection and identification of individual explosives samples - is predicted to depend on the chemical kinetics and the vapor pressure. The simulation results showed similar trends with the experimental results for monitoring the bending response of the microcantilever sensors to explosive vapors (e.g., Acetone and 2-Propanol) as a function of the actuation current.