High strength secondary hardening lath martensitic steel is a strong candidate for high performance and reliable transmission systems in aircraft and automotives. The fatigue resistance of this material depends both on intrinsic microstructure attributes, such as fine scale (M2C) precipitates, and extrinsic attributes such as nonmetallic primary inclusions. Additionally, the aforementioned attributes are affected by processing history. The objective of this research is to develop a computational framework to quantify the influence of both extrinsic (primary inclusions and residual stresses) and intrinsic (martensite laths and carbides) microstructure attributes on fatigue crack formation and the early stage of microstructurally small crack (MSC) growth that dominate high cycle fatigue (HCF) lifetime. To model the fatigue response at various microstructure scales, a hierarchical approach is adopted. A simplified scheme is developed to simulate processing effects such as shot peening that is suitable to introduce representative residual stresses prior to conducting fatigue calculations. Novel strategies are developed to couple process route (residual stresses) and microstructure scale response for comprehensive analysis of fatigue potency at critical life-limiting primary inclusions in gear steels. Relevant microstructure-scale response descriptors that permit relative assessment of fatigue resistance are identified. Fatigue crack formation and early growth is highly heterogeneous at the grain scale. Hence, a scheme for physically-based constitutive models that is suitable to investigate crack formation and early growth in martensitic steel is introduced and implemented. An extreme value statistical/probabilistic framework to assess the influence of variability of various microstructure attributes such as size and spatial distribution of primary inclusions on minimum fatigue crack formation life is devised. Understanding is sought regarding the relative role of microstructure attributes in the HCF process, thereby providing a basis to modify process route and/or composition to enhance fatigue resistance. Parametric studies are conducted to assess the effect of hot isostatic pressing and introduction of compliant coatings at debonded inclusion-matrix interface on enhancement of fatigue resistance. A comprehensive set of 3D computational tools and algorithms for hierarchical microstructure-sensitive fatigue analysis of martensitic gear steels is developed as an outcome of this research; such tools and methodologies will lend quantitative and qualitative support to designing improved, fatigue-resistant materials and accelerating insertion of new or improved materials into service.

<p>Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy (IAC) is a preferred treatment for the primary liver cancer, despite its adverse side-effects. During IAC, a mixture of chemotherapeutic drugs, e.g. Doxorubicin, is injected into an artery supplying the tumor. A fraction of Doxorubicin is absorbed by the tumor, but the remaining drug passes into systemic circulation, causing irreversible heart failure. The efficiency and safety of the IAC can be improved by chemical filtration of the excessive drugs with a catheter-based Chemofilter device, as proposed by a team of neuroradilogists. </p> <p>The objective of my work was to optimize the hemodynamic and drug binding performance of the Chemofilter device, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling. For this, I investigated the performance of two distinct Chemofilter configurations: 1) a porous “Chemofilter basket” formed by a lattice of micro-cells and 2) a non-porous “honeycomb Chemofilter” consisting of parallel hexagonal channels. A multiscale modeling approach was developed to resolve the flow through a representative section of the porous membrane and subsequently characterize the overall performance of the device. A heat and mass transfer analogy was utilized to facilitate the comparison of alternative honeycomb configurations. </p> A multiphysics approach was developed for modeling the electrochemical binding of Doxorubicin to the anionic surface of the Chemofilter. An effective diffusion coefficient was derived based on dilute and concentrated solution theory, to account for the induced migration of ions. Computational predictions were supported by results of <i>in-vivo</i> studies performed by collaborators. CFD models showed that the honeycomb Chemofilter is the most advantageous configuration with 66.8% drug elimination and 2.9 mm-Hg pressure drop across the device. Another facet of the Chemofilter project was its surface design with shark-skin inspired texturing, which improves the binding performance by up to 3.5%. Computational modeling enables optimization of the chemofiltration device, thus allowing the increase of drug dose while reducing systemic toxicity of IAC.

Fotogrammetri är en viktig metod för att skapa 3D-representationer av terräng och strukturer, men utmaningar kvarstår när det gäller noggrannheten på grund av faktorer som bildkvalitet, kamerakalibrering och positionsdata. Användningen av drönare för byggnadsdetaljmätning möjliggör snabb och kostnadseffektiv datainsamling, men noggrannheten kan påverkas av bildkvalitet och skuggning. Avhandlingen syftar till att jämföra noggrannheten och kvaliteten hos punktmoln genererade med två olika tekniker: terrester laserskanning (TLS) och struktur-från-rörelse (SfM) fotogrammetri med drönare. För att testa båda metodernas osäkerhet och noggrannhet vid detaljmätning av bostäder. Genom att utföra mätningar på en villa har data samlats in med både TLS och drönare utrustade med 48 MP kamera, samt georeferering med markstöd (GCP). SfM-punktmoln bearbetades med Agisoft Metashape. Jämförelser gjordes mellan SfM- och TLS-punktmoln avseende täckning, lägesskillnad och lägesosäkerhet. Genom att följa riktlinjer från HMK - Terrester Laserskanning och tillämpa HMK Standardnivå 3 säkerställs hög noggrannhet i mätningarna. Kontroll av lägesosäkerhet av båda punktmolnen resulterade i en lägesosäkerhet som understeg toleranser satta enligt HMK - Terrester laserskanner Standardnivå 3.  Kontrollen av lägesosäkerheten visade att kvadratiska medelfelet(RMSE) i plan och höjd var 0.011m respektive 0.007m för TLS-punktmolnet, och 0.02m respektive 0.015m för drönar-SfM-punktmolnet, vilket låg under toleransen enligt HMK- Terrester Detaljmätning 2021. Resultaten tyder på att Structure-from-Motion fotogrammetri med drönare kan generera punktmoln med god detaljrikedom, inte lika noggrann som med terrester laserskanner på sin lägsta inställning. TLS uppvisade mindre osäkerhet enligt kontrollen av lägesosäkerhet, ungefär en halvering av RMSE i både plan och höjd. I studien framgick det att TLS presterar sämre vid svåråtkomliga ytor med skymd sikt och ogynnsamma infallsvinklar, där effekten blir en lägre punkttäthet för punktmolnet. Vid gynnsamma förhållanden erbjuder TLS en högre noggrannhet och detaljnivå jämfört med SfM punktmoln. Enligt M3C2 punktmoln analys, med TLS punktmolnet som referens, antydde det att SfM punktmolnet genererade största felen vid takfot samt vid buskage. De större felen vid takfot tyder på att SfM presterar sämre gällande detaljnivå och fel vid buskageområdet varierar inte från det som dokumenterats om fotogrammetriska fel vid mappning av vegetation. SfM kan utföra en effektiv datainsamling för större samt svåråtkomliga ytor men kräver lång bearbetningstid med diverse hjälpmedel för att uppnå hög noggrannhet. TLS kräver istället en lång datainsamlingsprocess men kan generera ett detaljerat och noggrant punktmoln direkt utan långa bearbetningsprocesser. Val av metod styrs därmed baserat på specifika projektkrav. Långsiktiga implikationer inkluderar förbättrad effektivitet och säkerhet inom bygg- och anläggningsprojekt, samt potentialen för kostnadsbesparingar och mer detaljerade inspektioner. / Photogrammetry is a crucial method for creating 3D representations of terrain and structures, yet challenges remain regarding accuracy due to factors such as image quality, camera calibration, and positional data. The use of drones for building detail measurements enables rapid and cost-effective data collection, but accuracy can be affected by image quality and shading. This thesis aims to compare the accuracy and quality of point clouds generated using two different techniques: terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry with drones. The objective is to test the uncertainty and accuracy of both methods in residential surveying. Data collection was performed on a villa using both TLS and a drone equipped with a 48 MP camera, along with georeferencing with ground control points (GCP). SfM point clouds were processed with Agisoft Metashape. Comparisons were made between SfM and TLS point clouds in terms of coverage, positional difference, and positional uncertainty. By following guidelines from HMK - Terrester laserskanning 2021 and applying HMK Standard Level 3, high measurement accuracy was ensured. Positional uncertainty checks of both point clouds resulted in positional uncertainty within tolerances set by HMK - Terrestrial Laser Scanning Standard Level 3. The positional uncertainty, with a sample of 41 points showed that the root mean square error (RMSE) in plane and height was 0.011m and 0.007m respectively for the TLS point cloud, and 0.02m and 0.015m for the drone-SfM point cloud, both within the tolerance according to HMK - Terrestrial Detail Measurement 2021. The results suggest that Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry with drones can generate point clouds with good detail, although not as accurate as terrestrial laser scanning at its lowest setting. TLS showed less uncertainty according to the positional uncertainty check, with approximately half the RMSE in both plan and height. The study found that TLS performs worse on difficult-to-access surfaces with obstructed views and unfavorable angles, resulting in lower point cloud density. Under favorable conditions, TLS offers higher accuracy and detail compared to SfM point clouds. According to M3C2 point cloud analysis, using the TLS point cloud as a reference, SfM point clouds showed the largest errors at eaves and shrubbery. The larger errors at eaves indicate that SfM performs worse in terms of detail level, and errors in the shrubbery area are consistent with documented photogrammetric errors in vegetation mapping. SfM can effectively collect data for larger and difficult-to-access areas but requires extensive processing time with various aids to achieve high accuracy. Conversely, TLS requires a long data collection process but can generate a detailed and accurate point cloud directly without lengthy processing. The choice of method thus depends on specific project requirements. Long-term implications include improved efficiency and safety in construction and infrastructure projects, as well as potential cost savings and more detailed inspections.

Este trabalho propõe uma técnica de modelagem multiescala concorrente do concreto considerando duas escalas distintas: a mesoescala, onde o concreto é modelado como um material heterogêneo, e a macroescala, na qual o concreto é tratado como um material homogêneo. A heterogeneidade da estrutura mesoscópica do concreto é idealizada considerando três fases distintas, compostas pelos agregados graúdos e argamassa (matriz), estes considerados materiais homogêneos, e zona de transição interfacial (ZTI), tratada como a parte mais fraca entre as três fases. O agregado graúdo é gerado a partir de uma curva granulométrica e posicionado na matriz de forma aleatória. Seu comportamento mecânico é descrito por um modelo constitutivo elástico-linear, devido a sua maior resistência quando comparado com as outras duas fases do concreto. Elementos finitos contínuos com alta relação de aspecto em conjunto com um modelo constitutivo de dano são usados para representar o comportamento não linear do concreto, decorrente da iniciação de fissuras na ZTI e posterior propagação para a matriz, dando lugar à formação de macrofissuras. Os elementos finitos de interface com alta relação de aspecto são inseridos entre todos os elementos regulares da matriz e entre os da matriz e agregados, representando a ZTI, tornando-se potenciais caminhos de propagação de fissuras. No estado limite, quando a espessura do elemento de interface tende a zero (h ?0) e, consequentemente, a relação de aspecto tende a infinito, estes elementos apresentam a mesma cinemática da aproximação contínua de descontinuidades fortes (ACDF), sendo apropriados para representar a formação de descontinuidades associados a fissuras, similar aos modelos coesivos. Um modelo de dano à tração é proposto para representar o comportamento mecânico não linear das interfaces, associado à formação de fissuras, ou até mesmo ao eventual fechamento destas. A fim de contornar os problemas causados pela malha de elementos finitos de transição entre as malhas da macro e da mesoescala, que, em geral, apresentam diferenças expressivas 5 de refinamento, utiliza-se uma técnica recente de acoplamento de malhas não conformes. Esta técnica é baseada na definição de elementos finitos de acoplamento (EFAs), os quais são capazes de estabelecer a continuidade de deslocamento entre malhas geradas de forma completamente independentes, sem aumentar a quantidade total de graus de liberdade do problema, podendo ser utilizados tanto para acoplar malhas não sobrepostas quanto sobrepostas. Para tornar possível a análise em multiescala em casos nos quais a região de localização de deformações não pode ser definida a priori, propõe-se uma técnica multiescala adaptativa. Nesta abordagem, usa-se a distribuição de tensões da escala macroscópica como um indicador para alterar a modelagem das regiões críticas, substituindo-se a macroescala pela mesoescala durante a análise. Consequentemente, a malha macroscópica é automaticamente substituída por uma malha mesoscópica, onde o comportamento não linear está na iminência de ocorrer. Testes numéricos são desenvolvidos para mostrar a capacidade do modelo proposto de representar o processo de iniciação e propagação de fissuras na região tracionada do concreto. Os resultados numéricos são comparados com os resultados experimentais ou com aqueles obtidos através da simulação direta em mesoescala (SDM). / A concurrent multiscale analysis of concrete is presented, in which two distinct scales are considered: the mesoscale, where the concrete is modeled as a heterogeneous material and the macroscale that treats the concrete as a homogeneous material. The mesostructure heterogeneities are idealized as three phase materials composed of the coarse aggregates, mortar matrix and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). The coarse aggregates are generated from a grading curve and placed into the mortar matrix randomly. Their behavior is described using an elastic-linear constitutive model due to their significant higher strength when compared with the other two phases of the concrete. Special continuum finite elements with a high aspect ratio and a damage constitutive model are used to describe the nonlinear behavior associated to the propagation of cracks, which initiates in the ITZ and then propagates to the mortar matrix given place to a macro-crack formation. These interface elements with a high aspect ratio are inserted in between all regular finite elements of the mortar matrix and in between the mortar matrix and aggregate elements, representing the ITZ. In the limit case, when the thickness of interface elements tends to zero (h ?0) and consequently the aspect ratio tends to infinite, these elements present the same kinematics as the continuous strong discontinuity approach (CSDA), so that they are suitable to represent the formation of discontinuities associated to cracks, similar to cohesive models. A tensile damage model is proposed to model the nonlinear mechanical behavior of the interfaces, associated to the crack formation and also to the possible crack closure. To avoid transition meshes between the macro and the mesoscale meshes, a new technique for coupling non-matching meshes is used. This technique is based on the definition of coupling finite elements (CFEs), which can ensure the continuity of displacement between independent meshes, without increasing the total number of degrees of freedom of the problem. This technique can be used to couple non-overlapping and overlapping meshes.To make possible the concurrent multiscale analysis, where the strain localization region cannot be defined a priori, an adaptive multiscale model is proposed. In this approach the macroscale stress distribution is used as an indicator to properly change from the macroscale to the mesoscale modeling in the critical regions during the analysis. Consequently, the macroscopic mesh is automatically replaced by a mesoscopic mesh where the nonlinear behavior is imminent. A variety of tests are performed to show the ability of the proposed methodology in predicting the behavior of initiation and propagation of cracks in the tensile region of the concrete. The numerical results are compared with the experimental ones or with those obtained by the direct simulation in mesoscale (DSM).

Este trabalho propõe uma técnica de modelagem multiescala concorrente do concreto considerando duas escalas distintas: a mesoescala, onde o concreto é modelado como um material heterogêneo, e a macroescala, na qual o concreto é tratado como um material homogêneo. A heterogeneidade da estrutura mesoscópica do concreto é idealizada considerando três fases distintas, compostas pelos agregados graúdos e argamassa (matriz), estes considerados materiais homogêneos, e zona de transição interfacial (ZTI), tratada como a parte mais fraca entre as três fases. O agregado graúdo é gerado a partir de uma curva granulométrica e posicionado na matriz de forma aleatória. Seu comportamento mecânico é descrito por um modelo constitutivo elástico-linear, devido a sua maior resistência quando comparado com as outras duas fases do concreto. Elementos finitos contínuos com alta relação de aspecto em conjunto com um modelo constitutivo de dano são usados para representar o comportamento não linear do concreto, decorrente da iniciação de fissuras na ZTI e posterior propagação para a matriz, dando lugar à formação de macrofissuras. Os elementos finitos de interface com alta relação de aspecto são inseridos entre todos os elementos regulares da matriz e entre os da matriz e agregados, representando a ZTI, tornando-se potenciais caminhos de propagação de fissuras. No estado limite, quando a espessura do elemento de interface tende a zero (h ?0) e, consequentemente, a relação de aspecto tende a infinito, estes elementos apresentam a mesma cinemática da aproximação contínua de descontinuidades fortes (ACDF), sendo apropriados para representar a formação de descontinuidades associados a fissuras, similar aos modelos coesivos. Um modelo de dano à tração é proposto para representar o comportamento mecânico não linear das interfaces, associado à formação de fissuras, ou até mesmo ao eventual fechamento destas. A fim de contornar os problemas causados pela malha de elementos finitos de transição entre as malhas da macro e da mesoescala, que, em geral, apresentam diferenças expressivas 5 de refinamento, utiliza-se uma técnica recente de acoplamento de malhas não conformes. Esta técnica é baseada na definição de elementos finitos de acoplamento (EFAs), os quais são capazes de estabelecer a continuidade de deslocamento entre malhas geradas de forma completamente independentes, sem aumentar a quantidade total de graus de liberdade do problema, podendo ser utilizados tanto para acoplar malhas não sobrepostas quanto sobrepostas. Para tornar possível a análise em multiescala em casos nos quais a região de localização de deformações não pode ser definida a priori, propõe-se uma técnica multiescala adaptativa. Nesta abordagem, usa-se a distribuição de tensões da escala macroscópica como um indicador para alterar a modelagem das regiões críticas, substituindo-se a macroescala pela mesoescala durante a análise. Consequentemente, a malha macroscópica é automaticamente substituída por uma malha mesoscópica, onde o comportamento não linear está na iminência de ocorrer. Testes numéricos são desenvolvidos para mostrar a capacidade do modelo proposto de representar o processo de iniciação e propagação de fissuras na região tracionada do concreto. Os resultados numéricos são comparados com os resultados experimentais ou com aqueles obtidos através da simulação direta em mesoescala (SDM). / A concurrent multiscale analysis of concrete is presented, in which two distinct scales are considered: the mesoscale, where the concrete is modeled as a heterogeneous material and the macroscale that treats the concrete as a homogeneous material. The mesostructure heterogeneities are idealized as three phase materials composed of the coarse aggregates, mortar matrix and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). The coarse aggregates are generated from a grading curve and placed into the mortar matrix randomly. Their behavior is described using an elastic-linear constitutive model due to their significant higher strength when compared with the other two phases of the concrete. Special continuum finite elements with a high aspect ratio and a damage constitutive model are used to describe the nonlinear behavior associated to the propagation of cracks, which initiates in the ITZ and then propagates to the mortar matrix given place to a macro-crack formation. These interface elements with a high aspect ratio are inserted in between all regular finite elements of the mortar matrix and in between the mortar matrix and aggregate elements, representing the ITZ. In the limit case, when the thickness of interface elements tends to zero (h ?0) and consequently the aspect ratio tends to infinite, these elements present the same kinematics as the continuous strong discontinuity approach (CSDA), so that they are suitable to represent the formation of discontinuities associated to cracks, similar to cohesive models. A tensile damage model is proposed to model the nonlinear mechanical behavior of the interfaces, associated to the crack formation and also to the possible crack closure. To avoid transition meshes between the macro and the mesoscale meshes, a new technique for coupling non-matching meshes is used. This technique is based on the definition of coupling finite elements (CFEs), which can ensure the continuity of displacement between independent meshes, without increasing the total number of degrees of freedom of the problem. This technique can be used to couple non-overlapping and overlapping meshes.To make possible the concurrent multiscale analysis, where the strain localization region cannot be defined a priori, an adaptive multiscale model is proposed. In this approach the macroscale stress distribution is used as an indicator to properly change from the macroscale to the mesoscale modeling in the critical regions during the analysis. Consequently, the macroscopic mesh is automatically replaced by a mesoscopic mesh where the nonlinear behavior is imminent. A variety of tests are performed to show the ability of the proposed methodology in predicting the behavior of initiation and propagation of cracks in the tensile region of the concrete. The numerical results are compared with the experimental ones or with those obtained by the direct simulation in mesoscale (DSM).