Tremendous advances in nanoscience during the past decades have drawn a new horizon for the future of science. Many biological and structural elements such as DNA, bio-membranes, nanotubes, nanowires and thin films have been studied carefully in the past decades. In this work we target to speed up the computational methods by incorporating the structural symmetries that nanostructures have. In particular, we use the Objective Structures (OS) framework to speed up molecular dynamics (MD), lattice dynamics (phonon analysis) and multiscale methods. OS framework is a generalization of the standard idea for crystal lattices of assuming periodicity of atomic positions with a large supercell. OS not only considers the translational periodicity of the structure, but also other symmetries such as rotational and screw symmetries. In addition to the computational efficiency afforded by Objective Structures, OS provides us with more flexibility in the shape of the unit cell and the form of the external deformation and loading, comparing to using the translational periodicity. This is because the deformation and loading should be consistent in all cells and not all deformations keep the periodicity of the structures. For instance, bending and twisting cannot be modeled with methods using the structure's periodicity. Using OS framework we then carefully studied carbon nanotubes under non-equilibrium deformations. We also studied the failure mechanism of pristine and twisted nanotubes under tensile loading. We found a range of failure mechanisms, including the formation of Stone-Wales defects, the opening of voids, and the motion of atoms out of the cross-section. We also used the OS framework to make concrete analogies between crystalline phonons and normal modes of vibration in non-crystalline but highly symmetric nanostructures.

Ultra-High-Performance Concretes (UHPCs) are a promising class of cementitious materials possessing mechanical properties superior to those of Normal Strength Concretes (NSCs). However, UHPCs have been slow to transition from laboratory testing to insertion in new applications, partly due to an intuitive trial-and-error materials development process. This research seeks to addresses this problem by implementing a materials design process for the design of UHPC materials and structures subject to blast loads with specific impulses between 1.25- and 1.5-MPa-ms and impact loads resulting from the impact of a 0.50-caliber bullet travelling between 900 and 1,000 m/s. The implemented materials design process consists of simultaneous bottom-up deductive mappings and top-down inductive decision paths through a set of process-structure-property-performance (PSPP) relations identified for this purpose. The bottom-up deductive mappings are constructed from a combination of analytical models adopted from the literature and two hierarchical multiscale models developed to simulate the blast performance of a 1,626-mm tall by 864-mm wide UHPC panel and the impact performance of a 305-mm tall by 305-mm wide UHPC panel. Both multiscale models employ models at three length scales – single fiber, multiple fiber, and structural – to quantify deductive relations in terms of fiber pitch (6-36 mm/revolution), fiber volume fraction (0-2%), uniaxial tensile strength of matrix (5-12 MPa), quasi-static tensile strength of fiber-reinforced matrix (10-20 MPa), and dissipated energy density (20-100 kJ/m²). The inductive decision path is formulated within the Inductive Design Exploration Method (IDEM), which determines robust combinations of properties, structures, and processing steps that satisfy the performance requirements. Subsequently, the preferred material and structural designs are determined by rank order of results of objective functions, defined in terms of mass and costs of the UHPC panel.

Irradiation induces a high concentration of defects in the structural materials of nuclear reactors, which are typically of body-centered cubic Iron (BCC Fe) and its alloys. The primary effect of irradiation is hardening which is caused by the blocking of dislocations with defects and defect clusters like point defects, self-interstitial loops, and voids. The dislocation-defect interactions are atomistic in nature due to the very small length and time scales involved, i.e., of the order of nanometers and picoseconds. To predict the effect of dislocation-defect interactions on the macroscopic mechanical and plastic behavior of the material, it is critically important to develop robust coupling schemes by which accurate atomic level physics of the rate-limiting kinetic processes can be informed into a coarse-grained model such as crystal plasticity. In this thesis we will develop an atomistically informed constitutive model. Relevant atomistic processes are identified from molecular dynamics simulations. The respective unit process studies are conducted using atomistic reaction pathway sampling methods like Nudged Elastic Band method. Stress-dependent activation energies and activation volumes are computed for various rate-liming unit processes like thermally activated dislocation motion via kinkpair nucleation, dislocation pinning due to self interstitial atom, etc. Constitutive laws are developed based on transition state theory, that informs the atomistically determined activation parameters into a coarse-grained crystal plasticity model. The macroscopic deformation behavior predicted by the crystal plasticity model is validated with experimental results and the characteristic features explained in the light of atomistic knowledge of the constituting kinetics. We also investigate on unique irradiation induced defects such as stacking fault tetrahedra, that are formed under non-irradiated condition. This thesis also includes our work on materials with internal interfaces that can resist irradiation induced damage. Overall, the research presented in this thesis involves the implementation and development of novel computational paradigm that encompasses computational approaches of various length and time scales towards robust predictions of the mechanical behavior of irradiated materials.

abstract: Advanced composites are being widely used in aerospace applications due to their high stiffness, strength and energy absorption capabilities. However, the assurance of structural reliability is a critical issue because a damage event will compromise the integrity of composite structures and lead to ultimate failure. In this dissertation a novel homogenization based multiscale modeling framework using semi-analytical micromechanics is presented to simulate the response of textile composites. The novelty of this approach lies in the three scale homogenization/localization framework bridging between the constituent (micro), the fiber tow scale (meso), weave scale (macro), and the global response. The multiscale framework, named Multiscale Generalized Method of Cells (MSGMC), continuously bridges between the micro to the global scale as opposed to approaches that are top-down and bottom-up. This framework is fully generalized and capable of modeling several different weave and braids without reformulation. Particular emphasis in this dissertation is placed on modeling the nonlinearity and failure of both polymer matrix and ceramic matrix composites. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering 2011

The construction of mesoscopic (micrometer scale) constitutive laws in materialsscience is studied for a long time. However, the constant progress in high performance computing changes the perspectives. Indeed, constitutive laws now aim at explicitly take into account the microstructure and its underlying physics at the atomic scale, for which simulation techniques prove to be very accurate but definitely expensive. The multiscale approach is therefore perfectly adapted to such a challenge and the dialogue between scales necessary. In this thesis, the mechanical behavior of the energetic material TATB in temperature and pressure is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations in order to understand the microscopic deformation mechanisms responsible for plastic activity. The local computation of mechanical variables was developed in atomistic simulations, allowing the dialogue with continuum mechanical methods. Additionally, prescribed deformation paths were coupled with molecular dynamics, allowing to reveal the plasticity mechanism of TATB single crystal. Nucleation of complex dislocation structures with intrinsic dilatancy, twinning transition pathway and a twinning-buckling pseudo phase transition are three distinct behaviors triggered for different loading directions. Then, mesoscopic simulations inferred by atomic scale observations aim at reproducing the twinning-buckling pseudo-phase transition under tri-axial compression using a Lagrangian code. The comparison between both simulation techniques is made possible thanks to the mechanical tools that have been implemented in themolecular dynamics code. Finally, polycrystalline TATB is simulated with non linear elasticity and we demonstrate the necessity to consider an equation of state compatible with this pseudo phase transition, which has a strong influence on the polycristal behavior. / La conception de lois de comportement en science des matériaux n’est pas nouvelle. Cependant, le progrès constant en calcul haute performance change la donne. En effet, ces lois visent désormais à tenir compte de la microstructure et de la physique sous-jacente, à l’échelle atomique, pour laquelle les techniques de simulation sont précises mais très coûteuses. L’approche multiéchelles semble parfaitement adaptée à ces problématiques et le dialogue entre échelles nécessaire. Dans cette thèse, le comportement mécanique du matériau énergétique TATB en température et en pression est étudié via des simulations de dynamique moléculaire afin de caractériser les mécanismes microscopiques responsable de son comportement irréversible. Le calcul local de variables mécaniques a été développé dans des simulations atomistiques, permettant le dialogue avec les méthodes continues. De plus, une méthode d’application de chemins de déformation a été couplée avec la dynamique moléculaire, menant à la caractérisation de la réponse mécanique très anisotrope du monocristal de TATB. Nucléation de dislocations au cœur complexe, chemin de transition pour le maclage et pseudo-transition de phase de type maclage-flambage sont trois comportements distincts associés à trois types de sollicitation dans différentes directions. Des simulations à l’échelle mésoscopique, alimentées par les données calculées à l’échelle microscopique, sont ensuite effectuées et visent à reproduire la pseudo-transition de phase sous compression triaxiale dans un code Lagrangien. La comparaison des résultats aux deux échelles est rendue possible par les outils de mécanique des milieux continus implémentés dans le code de dynamique moléculaire. Finalement, un polycristal de TATB est simulé en élasticité non linéaire et nous montrons l’importance de considérer une équation d’état compatible avec cette pseudo-transition de phase, qui semble avoir une forte influence sur le comportement du polycristal.

Cette thèse porte sur la conception, la modélisation et le prototypage de nanorobots pour des applications en nanomédecine, en biologie et en nanosystèmes. Principalement deux approches ont été proposées. La première approche implique la modélisation multi-échelle (la mécanique quantique, dynamique moléculaire, mécanique continue) couplée aux techniques de réalité virtuelle. La plateforme ainsi développée a permis en premier lieu, la caractérisation biomécanique de différents composants nanorobotiques : nanoressorts à base de protéines et de nanomoteurs moléculaires (ADN, nanotube de carbone, protéines). Le développement de la plateforme a permis ensuite d’assembler d’une manière interactive (retour visuel et retour de force) des structures nanorobotiques, d’optimiser leur structure et de caractériser leur comportement dynamique. Dans la seconde approche, une méthodologie originale de co-prototypage à été développée. Le co-prototypage permet en effet de coupler les expérimentations et les simulations afin d’avoir un modèle réaliste. Ceci permet de mettre à jour les paramètres de simulation et de réajuster le processus de fabrication après optimisation. D’autre part, les simulations permettent d’observer des phénomènes à l’échelle nanométrique qui sont jusque là inaccessibles par expérimentation. Durant ce travail de thèse, j’ai développé des nouvelles structures nanorobotiques : des nanomachines à base d’ADN, un bio-nanoactionneur linéaire ainsi qu’une nanomachine rotative à base de nanotubes de carbone. Quelques uns de ces prototypes ont été fabriqués, optimisés et validés expérimentalement. / Nanorobots represent a nanoscale devices where proteins such as DNA, carbon nanotubes could act as motors, mechanical joints, transmission elements, or sensors. When these different components were assembled together they can form nanorobots with multi-degree-of-freedom, able to apply forces and manipulate objects in the nanoscale world. In this work, we investigated the design, assembly, simulation, and prototyping of biological and artificial molecular structures with the goal of implementing their internal nanoscale movements within nanorobotic systems in an optimized manner. The thesis focuses, mainly on two approaches. The first one involves multiscale modeling tools (quantum mechanics, molecular dynamics, continuum mechanics) coupled to virtual reality advanced techniques. In order to design and evaluate the characteristics of molecular robots, we proposed interactive nanophysics-based simulation which permits manipulation of molecules, proteins and engineered materials in molecular dynamics simulations with real-time force feedback and graphical display. The second approach uses a novel co-prototyping methodology. The optimization of engineered nanorobotic device is coupled to experimental measurements and force field modeling algorithms.

abstract: A hybrid molecular dynamics (MD) simulation framework is developed to emulate mechanochemical reaction of mechanophores in epoxy-based nanocomposites. Two different force fields, a classical force field and a bond order based force field are hybridized to mimic the experimental processes from specimen preparation to mechanical loading test. Ultra-violet photodimerization for mechanophore synthesis and epoxy curing for thermoset polymer generation are successfully simulated by developing a numerical covalent bond generation method using the classical force field within the framework. Mechanical loading tests to activate mechanophores are also virtually conducted by deforming the volume of a simulation unit cell. The unit cell deformation leads to covalent bond elongation and subsequent bond breakage, which is captured using the bond order based force field. The outcome of the virtual loading test is used for local work analysis, which enables a quantitative study of mechanophore activation. Through the local work analysis, the onset and evolution of mechanophore activation indicating damage initiation and propagation are estimated; ultimately, the mechanophore sensitivity to external stress is evaluated. The virtual loading tests also provide accurate estimations of mechanical properties such as elastic, shear, bulk modulus, yield strain/strength, and Poisson’s ratio of the system. Experimental studies are performed in conjunction with the simulation work to validate the hybrid MD simulation framework. Less than 2% error in estimations of glass transition temperature (Tg) is observed with experimentally measured Tgs by use of differential scanning calorimetry. Virtual loading tests successfully reproduce the stress-strain curve capturing the effect of mechanophore inclusion on mechanical properties of epoxy polymer; comparable changes in Young’s modulus and yield strength are observed in experiments and simulations. Early damage signal detection, which is identified in experiments by observing increased intensity before the yield strain, is captured in simulations by showing that the critical strain representing the onset of the mechanophore activation occurs before the estimated yield strain. It is anticipated that the experimentally validated hybrid MD framework presented in this dissertation will provide a low-cost alternative to additional experiments that are required for optimizing material design parameters to improve damage sensing capability and mechanical properties. In addition to the study of mechanochemical reaction analysis, an atomistic model of interphase in carbon fiber reinforced composites is developed. Physical entanglement between semi-crystalline carbon fiber surface and polymer matrix is captured by introducing voids in multiple graphene layers, which allow polymer matrix to intertwine with graphene layers. The hybrid MD framework is used with some modifications to estimate interphase properties that include the effect of the physical entanglement. The results are compared with existing carbon fiber surface models that assume that carbon fiber has a crystalline structure and hence are unable to capture the physical entanglement. Results indicate that the current model shows larger stress gradients across the material interphase. These large stress gradients increase the viscoplasticity and damage effects at the interphase. The results are important for improved prediction of the nonlinear response and damage evolution in composite materials. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Mechanical Engineering 2017

abstract: Interstitial impurity atoms can significantly alter the chemical and physical properties of the host material. Oxygen impurity in HCP titanium is known to have a considerable strengthening effect mainly through interactions with dislocations. To better understand such an effect, first the role of oxygen on various slip planes in titanium is examined using generalized stacking fault energies (GSFE) computed by the first principles calculations. It is shown that oxygen can significantly increase the energy barrier to dislocation motion on most of the studied slip planes. Then the Peierls-Nabbaro model is utilized in conjunction with the GSFE to estimate the Peierls stress ratios for different slip systems. Using such information along with a set of tension and compression experiments, the parameters of a continuum scale crystal plasticity model, namely CRSS values, are calibrated. Effect of oxygen content on the macroscopic stress-strain response is further investigated through experiments on oxygen-boosted samples at room temperature. It is demonstrated that the crystal plasticity model can very well capture the effect of oxygen content on the global response of the samples. It is also revealed that oxygen promotes the slip activity on the pyramidal planes. The effect of oxygen impurity on titanium is further investigated under high cycle fatigue loading. For that purpose, a two-step hierarchical crystal plasticity for fatigue predictions is presented. Fatigue indicator parameter is used as the main driving force in an energy-based crack nucleation model. To calculate the FIPs, high-resolution full-field crystal plasticity simulations are carried out using a spectral solver. A nucleation model is proposed and calibrated by the fatigue experimental data for notched titanium samples with different oxygen contents and under two load ratios. Overall, it is shown that the presented approach is capable of predicting the high cycle fatigue nucleation time. Moreover, qualitative predictions of microstructurally small crack growth rates are provided. The multi-scale methodology presented here can be extended to other material systems to facilitate a better understanding of the fundamental deformation mechanisms, and to effectively implement such knowledge in mesoscale-macroscale investigations. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Mechanical Engineering 2018

abstract: With the maturity of advanced composites as feasible structural materials for various applications there is a critical need to solve the challenge of designing these material systems for optimal performance. However, determining superior design methods requires a deep understanding of the material-structure properties at various length scales. Due to the length-scale dependent behavior of advanced composites, multiscale modeling techniques may be used to describe the dominant mechanisms of damage and failure in these material systems. With polymer matrix fiber composites and nanocomposites it becomes essential to include even the atomic length scale, where the resin-hardener-nanofiller molecules interact, in the multiscale modeling framework. Additionally, sources of variability are also critical to be included in these models due to the important role of uncertainty in advance composite behavior. Such a methodology should be able to describe length scale dependent mechanisms in a computationally efficient manner for the analysis of practical composite structures. In the research presented in this dissertation, a comprehensive nano to macro multiscale framework is developed for the mechanical and multifunctional analysis of advanced composite materials and structures. An atomistically informed statistical multiscale model is developed for linear problems, to estimate and scale elastic properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) and carbon nanotube (CNT) enhanced CFRPs using information from molecular dynamics simulation of the resin-hardener-nanofiller nanoscale system. For modeling inelastic processes, an atomistically informed coupled damage-plasticity model is developed using the framework of continuum damage mechanics, where fundamental nanoscale covalent bond disassociation information is scaled up as a continuum scale damage identifying parameter. This damage model is coupled with a nanocomposite microstructure generation algorithm to study the sub-microscale damage mechanisms in CNT/CFRP microstructures. It is further integrated in a generalized method of cells (GMC) micromechanics model to create a low-fidelity computationally efficient nonlinear multiscale method with imperfect interfaces between the fiber and matrix, where the interface behavior is adopted from nanoscale MD simulations. This algorithm is used to understand damage mechanisms in adhesively bonded composite joints as a case study for the comprehensive nano to macroscale structural analysis of practical composites structures. At each length scale sources of variability are identified, characterized, and included in the multiscale modeling framework. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Aerospace Engineering 2018

In this work we develop a three-scale mathematical modeling to describe electro-chemical couplings in clays using the asymptotic homogenization procedure of periodic structures. We consider the porous medium composed of kaolinite particles saturated by an electrolyte solution of water-solvent and four ionic solutes monovalents Na+, H+, Cl-, OH-At the nanoscale we develop the model of the electrical double layer wherein the electric potential and local charge distribution are ruled by the Poisson- Boltzmann problem. In addition we incorporate the protonation/deprotonation chemical reaction between the fluid and the particle surface and consequently we quantify the dependence of the surface charge density of the particles with the pH of the electrolyte solution. At the microscale, or pore-scale, the movement of the aqueous solution is governed by the Stokes problem whereas ion transport by the Nernst-Planck equation. The pore-scale governing equations are supplemented by slip boundary condition in the tangential velocity of the fluid and adsorption interface conditions arising from the averaging of the nanoscale model. We then homogenize the microscopic model to the macroscale and derive effective equations with additional closure relations for the macroscopic coefficients. The macroscopic model is discretized by the finite volume method and numerical simulations of electrokinetical remediation of a contaminated soil are performed. The numerical results illustrate the strong dependence of the remediation efficiency on the pH of the aqueous solution. / Neste trabalho desenvolvemos a modelagem matemática e computacional em três escalas (nano-micro-macro) do acoplamento eletroquímico em um meio poroso argiloso adotando técnicas de homogeneização de estruturas periódicas. Consideramos o meio poroso uma caulinita saturada por uma solução eletrolítica composta por um solvente aquoso e quatro solutos iônicos monovalentes Na+, H+, Cl-, OH-. Na escala nanoscópica adotamos a modelagem da dupla camada elétrica onde o potencial elétrico e a densidade de carga são governados pelo problema de Poisson-Boltzmann. Incorporamos ao modelo nanoscópico as reações de protonação/deprotonação entre o fluido e a superfície da partícula argilosa e quantificamos numericamente a dependência da carga superficial com o pH da solução eletrolítica. Na escala microscópica, ou escala do poro, o movimento da solução aquosa é governado pelo problema de Stokes e o transporte dos íons pelas equações de Nernst-Planck. As equações microscópicas são suplementadas por condições de contorno de deslizamento da componente tangencial do campo de velocidade e de adsorção dos íons que representam a média do modelo posto na escala nanoscópica. A partir dos modelos nanoscópico/microscópico desenvolvemos a homogeneização do problema derivando o modelo na escala de Darcy (macroscópica) com os respectivos problemas de fechamento para os coeficientes das equações efetivas postos na célula periódica. Finalmente discretizamos o modelo macroscópico utilizando o método de volumes finitos e realizamos simulações numéricas em regimes permanente e transitório do processo de descontaminação de um solo argiloso por técnicas de eletrocinética. Os resultados ilustram a forte dependência da eletroremediação com o pH da solução.