Designing a safe and economical mining activity is the main goal of every mine design engineer. With the rise of computer modeling in mine design there is a need for a standardized method to use geologic characterization of rocks in engineering design. In this research, first a review of empirical methods will be conducted and after that a step-by-step method is presented to adequately use FLAC3D, for development pillars, in room and pillar mine in development stage. ARMPS database is used to evaluate the FLAC3D model results. ARMPS database consists of 645 case study in room and pillar mines. 170 of them are mines in development phase. In this research all 170 cases will be analyzed in FLAC3D v4.0 and the results will be compared to actual success and failure from the database. Also, the stability factor found from FLAC3D will be compared to ARMPS. Finally, it is tried to calibrate FLAC3D stability factor so it can be used in room and pillar design.

Channel constrictions in which strong currents are mainly driven by tidal processes represent sites with high potential for harvesting renewable and predictable tidal stream energy. Tidal Current Turbines (TCTs) deployed in arrays appear to be the most promising solution to efficiently capturing this carbon neutral energy resource. However to ensure the sustainable character of such projects, the balance between power extraction maximization and environmental impact minimization must be found so that device layout optimization takes into account environmental considerations. This is particularly appropriate since both resource and impact assessments go intrinsically hand in hand. The present method proposes the use and adaptation of ocean circulation models as an assessment tool framework for tidal current turbine (TCT) array-layout optimization. By adapting both momentum and turbulence transport equations of an existing model, the present TCT representation method is proposed to extend the actuator disc concept to 3-D large scale ocean circulation models. Through the reproduction of physical experiments to reasonable accuracy, grid and time dependency tests and an up-scaling exercise, this method has shown its numerical validity as well as its ability to simulate accurately both momentum and turbulent turbine-induced perturbations in the wake. These capabilities are demonstrated for standalone devices and device arrays, and are achieved with a relatively short period of computation time. Consequently the present TCT representation method is a very promising basis for the development of a TCT array layout optimization tool. By applying this TCT representation method to realistic cases, its capability is demonstrated for power capture assessment and prediction of hydrodynamic interactions as would be required during the layout deployment optimization process. Tidal energy has seen considerable development over the last decade and the first commercial deployments are likely to take place within the next 5 years. It is hoped that this new tool and the numerical approaches described herein will contribute to the development of TCT array power plants around the world.

This dissertation deals with research on the numerical modelling of electrical discharges in laboratory long air gaps excited with positive switching impulses. It begins with the preliminary work of several scientists during the last decades, making a detailed analysis of different approaches for modelling all the stages in a full discharge. The relations between these models are identified as well as the effect on the outcome when modifying some important input parameters. The general concept describing the discharge phenomenon usually includes three main elements: the streamer inception, the streamer-to-leader transition and the stable leader propagation. These elements are present in many of the analysed models and the main differences between them are the assumptions and simplifications made by each author at a specific point in their methodologies. The models are usually simplified by assigning experimentally determined values to physical constants pertinent to different stages of the full discharge. These constants are the potential gradient in the leader-corona region to sustain the leader propagation, the charge per unit length along the leader channel which depends on the atmospheric conditions and the voltage impulse wave shape; and the leader propagation velocity, which is closely related to the discharge current. The dissertation includes the results of laboratory work related the study of leaders in long gap discharges, electrical parameters and optical records. By reconstructing the three-dimensional leader propagation for the rod-to-plane configuration, it was possible to study the random tortuous path followed by the leader as it propagates. One important element included in the discharge modelling is the representation of the leader-corona region in front of the leader tip as it propagates towards the grounded electrode. For the calculation of the net charge available in the leader-corona region, two new methodologies were pro-posed based on the electrostatic potential distribution obtained from a finite element method solver. This allowed the inclusion of more elements representing different parts of the discharge in the simulation domain. In the final part, all the analysed elements and the new proposed ones were included in a new methodology for the modelling of electrical dis-charges in long air laboratory gaps. The results obtained from this methodology were compared to experimental data. A good agreement was found between the simulation results and the experimental data.

This research studies the green geopolymer incorporated with phase change material (PCM) for energy saving in buildings. First class F fly ash (FA) based-geopolymer binder was studied. In order to improve the mechanical properties, low calcium slag (SG) was added to the FA to produce geopolymer. The effect of different factors including SG content (at different relative amounts FA/SG = 0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25 and 100/0), NaOH solution at different concentrations (7.5, 10 and 15 M), various curing times (1, 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28 days) and curing temperatures (25 (ambient), 45, 60, 75 and 90°C) was investigated. The unit weight and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the geopolymer specimens were measured. Scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were also performed to characterize the microstructure and phase composition of the geopolymer specimens. The results show that the incorporation of SG not only improves the strength of the geopolymer specimens but also decreases the initial water content and thus the NaOH consumption at the same NaOH concentration required for geopolymer production. In addition, the inclusion of SG increases the unit weight of the geopolymer specimens, simply because SG has a much greater specific gravity than FA. The results also show that the strength of the FA/SG-based geopolymer develops rapidly within only 2 days and no obvious gain of the strength after 7 days. The optimum curing temperature (the curing temperature at which the maximum UCS is obtained) at a FA/SG ratio of 50/50 is around 75°C. Second, FA-based geopolymer concrete was synthesized and the effect of different factors including sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide (SS/SH) ratio, aggregate shape, water to fly ash (W/FA) ratio, curing time, water exposure and PCM inclusion on the compressive strength of the geopolymer concrete specimens cured at different ambient temperatures was studied. The results show that the UCS of the specimens increases with higher SS/SH and W/FA ratios up to a certain level and then starts to decrease at higher ratios. The results also indicate that a major portion of the strength of the specimens cured at ambient temperatures develops within the first four weeks. In addition the strength of the FA-based geopolymer concrete is slightly decreased with water exposure and PCM incorporation. Third, the mechanical and thermal properties of geopolymer mortar synthesized with FA and different amount of PCM were studied and the effect of incorporated PCM on the unit weight and UCS of geopolymer mortar was evaluated. SEM imaging was performed to identify the change of micro structure of the geopolymer mortar after incorporation of PCM. The thermal properties of the geopolymer mortar containing different amount of PCM were also characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. In addition model tests were performed using small cubicles built with geopolymer mortar slabs containing different amount of PCM to evaluate the effectiveness of geopolymer mortar wall with incorporated PCM in controlling the heat flow and internal temperature. The results indicate that both the unit weight and UCS of the geopolymer mortar decrease slightly after PCM is incorporated, mainly due to the small unit weight and low strength and stiffness of the PCM, respectively. However, the compressive strength of geopolymer mortar containing up to 20% PCM is still sufficiently high for applications in buildings. The results also show that the incorporation of PCM leads to substantial increase of heat capacity and decrease of thermal conductivity of the geopolymer mortar and is very effective in decreasing the temperature inside the cubicles. Finally, a numerical study on the thermal performance of geopolymer with incorporated PCM was carried out. In order to simulate the heat transfer through geopolymer containing PCM, a simplified method was first presented. The influence of phase transition was linked to the energy balance equation through variable specific heat capacity of the PCM-geopolymer. The thermal properties of the geopolymer containing PCM for the numerical analysis were determined using DSC and guarded heat flow (GHF) tests. The simplified method was validated based on the good agreement between the numerical and experimental results. With the validated model, the effect of various factors including the specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity and wall thickness on the thermal performance of PCM-geopolymer walls was studied. Then a modified numerical method was proposed for simulating the whole thermal transfer processes and the simulation results were used to conduct the economic evaluation of PCM-geopolymer walls for energy savings in buildings.

Geothermal energy has become a focal point of the renewable energy revolution. Both shallow and deep types of geothermal energy have the potential to offset carbon emissions, reduce energy costs, and stimulate the economy. Before widespread geothermal exploration and exploitation can occur, both shallow and deep technologies require improvement by theoretical and experimental investigations. This thesis investigated one aspect of both shallow and deep geothermal energy technologies. First, a group of shallow geothermal energy piles was modeled numerically. The model was constructed, calibrated, and validated using available data collected from full-scale in-situ experimental energy piles. Following calibration, the model was parameterized to demonstrate the impact of construction specifications on energy pile performance and cross-sectional thermal stress distribution. The model confirmed the role of evenly spaced heat exchangers in optimal pile performance. Second, experimental methods were used to demonstrate the evolution of a fractured granite permeability as a function of mineral dissolution. Steady-state flow-through experiments were performed on artificially fractured granite cores constrained by 5 MPa pore pressure, 30 MPa confining pressure, and a 120°C temperature. Upstream pore pressures, effluent mineral concentrations, and X-Ray tomography confirmed the hypothesis that fracture asperities dissolve during the flow through experiment, resulting in fracture closure.

L’étude présentée ici entre dans la problématique générale des arcs électriques intervenant dans des applications industrielles telles que le soudage, le découpage, le traitement des déchets. Ce travail constitue une première phase de modélisation de cette étude générale. Le plasma est décrit par un ensemble d'équations de conservation de fluide et de l’électromagnétisme, complétés par des propriétés thermodynamiques et des coefficients de transport appropriés, en formant un système d’équations non linéaires fortement couplées. Ces équations sont écrites en supposant l’équilibre thermodynamique local, une symétrie cylindrique et un écoulement laminaire stationnaire. Ce système d’équations est résolu à l’aide du logiciel commercial FLUENT de type CFD fondé sur l’approche des volumes finis. Pour pouvoir utiliser la partie solveur nous avons résolu notre modèle en utilisant les routines UDF Users-Defined-Function. Dans une première partie, nous présentons la validation du modèle à deux dimensions et à 100 A dans l’argon par des résultats de la littérature. Cette comparaison laisse apparaître un accord satisfaisant sur les profils de température dans la colonne de plasma et des différences dans les zones proches des électrodes dues aux conditions aux limites. Dans une deuxième partie, nous présentons une étude expérimentale, à l’issue de laquelle on constate que les profils de température expérimentaux sont en accord avec ceux du modèle dans la zone de colonne positive. / The study presented here enters the general problem of electric arc involved in industrial applications such as welding, cutting, waste treatment. This work constitutes the first numerical phase of modeling of this general study. The plasma is described by a set of fluid conservation equations, electromagnetic equations complemented by suitable thermodynamic and transport properties, forming a strongly coupled non-linear system. These equations are written assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium, a cylindrical symmetry and steady laminar flow. This system of equations is solved using commercial software FLUENT CFD-type based on finite volume algorithm. To use the solver part we solved our model using UDF macro Users-Defined-Function. In the first part, we present the validation of the two dimensional model in and 100 A in argon with the literature results. A detailed analysis of various characteristic quantities is presented. This comparison reveals a good agreement of the temperature profiles in the column plasma and differences in electrode areas due to boundary conditions. In a second part, we present an experimental study, the experimental temperature profiles are consistent with the model in the column area which means that the model is validated in the column of plasma.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Dunja Peric / Piles have been used for many years in civil infrastructure as foundations for buildings, bridges, and retaining walls. Energy piles are thermo-active foundation systems that use geothermal energy for heating and cooling of buildings. Ground source heat is a very attractive, economical, efficient and sustainable alternative to current heating practices. Unlike the air temperature, the temperature below the Earth’s surface remains relatively constant throughout the year, somewhere between 10oC to 15oC below a depth of 6 m to 9 m (Kelly, 2011). This provides an opportunity for construction of thermo-active foundation systems with embedded geothermal loops. The main purpose of such thermo-active system is to transfer deep ground heat to a building through the fluid circulating within the geothermal loop. It is because these thermo-active foundation systems enable heat exchange between the deep ground and the building that is called the heat exchanger pile (HEP). The thermal energy supplied by a HEP can then supplement air-pump-based heating/cooling system. Although heat exchanger piles have been successfully implemented in Europe and Asia, their usage in U.S. remains uncommon. One reason for this might be currently limited understanding of the associated soil-structure interaction, thus unfavorably affecting the design procedures. To this end, a study was undertaken to investigate the predictive capabilities of computational models and to gain a better understanding of the load-transfer mechanisms of energy piles. Thus, coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical computational modeling of a single actual end bearing HEP was carried out for different loading scenarios including thermal and mechanical loads by using the finite element code ABAQUS/Standard 6.13-2. The results of the analyses of the heat exchanger pile with two different types of layered soil profile are presented: isotropic and anisotropic. The computational model was validated and verified successfully against field test results for all considered loading scenarios. Additional analyses were performed to gain a deeper insight into the effects of soil layering and on the behavior of energy piles. It was found that changes in the soil stiffness affected primarily the head displacement and vertical stresses and strains in the pile.

<div>Two-phase flow and heat transfer has a wide variety of applications ranging from nuclear power plants to computer chip cooling. The efficient designs of these systems require a clear understanding of the mechanisms by which two-phase flows enhance heat transfer. With the rapid growth in computing power, Computational Fluid Dynamics is becoming an increasingly reliable predictive tool to understand the physics underlying two-phase flow and heat transfer. We identify the two chief phenomena</div><div>affecting heat transfer in two-phase flows as being the improved convective effect in bubbly flows, and the phase change phenomenon. We examine three key aspects of</div><div>bubbly flows in the present work namely: a) The flow of bubbles near vertical walls, b) the heat transfer associated with a non-condensable bubble rising near a vertical wall, and c) the heat transfer associated with boiling and condensation involving bubbles.</div><div><br></div><div>The first part involves studying the rise velocity of a layer of bubbles rising near a vertical wall. We derive a scaling between the rise velocity based Reynold’s number and the Archimedes number. The second part involves examining the flow pattern around a single bubble rising under the buoyancy effect in a shear flow near a heated wall, and how it affects the heat transfer from the wall. We study the dependence of the fractional improvement in Nusselt number at the wall on various non-dimensional parameters such as the Archimedes number, the Laplace number and the shear rate. Our study shows the existence of an optimum dimensionless shear rate for heat transfer enhancement and a strong dependence between the flow pattern around the bubble and its associated heat transfer enhancement. The third part involves building a numerical model to study flow boiling in micro-channels. We validate the proposed model with two benchmark problems and two experimental studies. The validated numerical tool is then used to understand the effect of varying the micro-channel inlet flow rate on its heat transfer characteristics. This numerical tool is further developed to include a stagnant micro-layer model that can simulate nucleate boiling. We then use it to study the flow boiling characteristics of a line of bubbles undergoing boiling and lift-off in a shear flow. In the end, based on existing literature in the field, we propose future tasks to be undertaken in the area of numerical two-phase flow.<br></div><div><br></div>

O principal objetivo deste trabalho é prever a evolução de margens divergentes desde o início da extensão litosférica, levando-se em consideração a interação entre processos superficiais e tectônicos. Para isto, foi desenvolvido um modelo numérico que acopla isostasia flexural, efeitos térmicos, estiramento litosférico e processos superficiais. A isostasia flexural é simulada através de uma placa elástica fina sobre um fluido invíscido, representando o comportamento flexural da litosfera flutuando sobre a astenosfera. Durante a simulação, a estrutura térmica da litosfera evolui como um resultado da advecção e difusão do calor no interior da Terra. Considera-se que o estiramento da litosfera é acomodado por falhas planas na crosta superior e deformação dúctil na crosta inferior e manto. O modelo de processos superficiais descreve como a paisagem é erodida e como os sedimentos são transportados e depositados nas bacias sedimentares. Através desse modelo numérico, é mostrado que o estiramento litosférico tem uma profunda influência na evolução da migração de escarpas em margens divergentes. Os resultados sugerem que escarpas limitadas por falhas criadas em flancos de rifts por descarregamento mecânico e resposta flexural têm pouca chance de \"sobreviver\" através de recuo erosivo se a crosta inferior sob o flanco do rift foi substancialmente estirada. Nessa configuração, o divisor de drenagem que persiste através do tempo é criado em direção ao continente em uma posição que depende da rigidez flexural da crosta superior. Esse cenário ocorre quando a topografia pré-rift mergulha para o continente, caso contrário a evolução da escarpa é guiada pelo divisor de águas interior pré-existente. Esses conceitos são aplicados no estudo das margens do sudeste da Australia e do sudeste do Brasil, onde o cenário de retração de escarpas através de recuo erosivo mostrou-se improvável. O mesmo modelo numérico foi utilizado para estudar como a passagem de uma anomalia térmica sob a litosfera pode afetar a evolução pós-rift de bacias sedimentares em margens divergentes. Os resultados numéricos mostram que a velocidade da litosfera em relação à anomalia térmica e a rigidez flexural da litosfera oceânica e continental afetam a evolução de bacias sedimentares devido ao soerguimento da superfície relacionado com a expansão térmica da litosfera. Como exemplo, é estudada a possível influência de uma anomalia térmica (Pluma de Trindade?) na evolução das bacias de Campos e Espírito Santo, na margem sudeste brasileira. / The purpose of this work is to predict the evolution of divergent margins since the onset of lithospheric extension, taking into account the interaction between surface and tectonic processes. For this, a numerical model was developed to study the coupling of flexural isostasy, thermal effects, stretching of the lithosphere and surface processes. The flexural isostasy is simulated through a thin elastic plate overlying an inviscid fluid, representing the flexural behavior of the lithosphere floating on the asthenosphere. During the simulation, the thermal structure of the lithosphere evolves as a result of advection and diffusion of heat in the Earths interior. The stretching of the lithosphere is assumed to be accommodated by planar faults in the upper crust and ductile flow in the lower crust and mantle. The surface processes model describes how the landscape is eroded and how the sediments are transported and deposited in the sedimentary basins. The results from this numerical model show that the amount of lithospheric stretching has a profound influence on the evolution of escarpment migration in divergent margins. These results suggest that fault-bounded escarpments created at rift flanks by mechanical unloading and flexural rebound have little potential to survive as retreating escarpments if the lower crust under the rift flank is substantially stretched. In this configuration, a drainage divide that persists through time is created landward in a position that depends on the flexural rigidity of the upper crust. This scenario occurs when the pre-rift topography dips landward, otherwise the evolution of the escarpment is guided by the pre-existing inland drainage divide. These concepts are applied to study the margins of Southeastern Australia and Southeastern Brazil, where the retreating escarpment scenario showed to be unlikely. The same numerical model is used to study how the passage of a thermal anomaly under the lithosphere can affect the post-rift evolution of sedimentary basins in divergent margins. The numerical results show that the velocity of the lithosphere relative to the thermal anomaly and the flexural rigidity of the continental and oceanic lithospheres affect the evolution of sedimentary basins due to surface uplift related to thermal expansion of the lithosphere. As an example, the model is applied to assess the possible influence of a thermal anomaly (Trindade Plume?) on the evolution of the Campos and Esp rito Santo Basins, in Southeastern Brazilian margin.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo estudar a dinâmica do manto superior em margens continentais através do uso de modelos numéricos que simulam processos convectivos e condutivos no tempo geológico, avaliando-se como a incorporação da convecçãao no estudo da história de subsidência de margens continentais difere do resultado obtido através de modelos puramente condutivos. Como primeiros testes, foram realizadas comparações dos resultados numéricos com soluções analíticas para diferentes valores do número de Rayleigh, verificando-se a validade das soluções computacionais. Também foi feita uma análise da estabilidade da litosfera no tempo geológico para diferentes perfis de viscosidade, servindo como base para a escolha dos parâmetros reológicos do manto para os modelos no contexto de margens divergentes. A partir dos cenários numéricos que melhor reproduziram a estrutura da litosfera terrestre, novos cenários foram criados para simular a evolução térmica e isostática de margens continentais. Como exemplo, utilizou-se dados geofísicos e geológicos extraídos da literatura para a bacia sedimentar do Golfo do Leão, no sudeste da Françaa, com o objetivo de comparar a evolução geodinâmica do presente modelo numérico com outros modelos publicados na literatura. Observou-se que o efeito convectivo astenosférico preserva a estrutura térmica aquecida da margem estirada por mais tempo em comparação com o modelo puramente condutivo. Isso implica que, possivelmente, outros fatores também devem ser levados em consideração como o efeito da geometria tridimensional da margem do Golfo do Leão que pode contribuir para um aumento da subsidência da margem em relação ao modelo obtido no presente trabalho. Adicionalmente, constatou-se que a convecção mantélica pode induzir tensões na base da litosfera que a deslocam dinamicamente ao longo do tempo geológico, podendo influenciar a evolução estratigráfica das bacias sedimentares marginais. São apresentados cerca de 60 cenários geodinâmicos mostrando como a variação da estrutura reológica do manto influencia a evolução térmica da litosfera e consequentemente, a história de subsidência da margem. / This work aims to study the dynamics of the upper mantle in continental margins by using numerical models that simulate convective and conductive processes in geological time scale. It was evaluated the contribution of convection and conduction for subsidence history of sedimentary basins. As first tests, simple numerical scenarios with different Rayleigh number were compared with analytic solutions, verifying the validate of the computational solutions. These numerical experiments were followed by the analysis of the lithospheric stability in the geological time scale for different values of viscosity. These experiments were used as a base for the choice of the rheological parameters of the mantle for the models in the context of divergent margins. From the numerical scenarios that better reproduced the lithospheric structure of the Earth, new scenarios were created to simulate the thermal and isostatic evolution of continental margins. As an example, geophysical and geological data extracted from the literature for the sedimentary basin of the Gulf of Lion, Southeastern France, were compared with the results of different geodynamic models published in the literature and with the numerical scenarios obtained in the present work. We observed that the effect of the astenospheric convection preserves the thermal structure of the stretched margin for a long time in comparison with purely conductive models. This implies that, possibly, other processes must be taken into account, such as the effect of the three-dimensional geometry of the Gulf of Lion margin that may contribute to a higher subsidence of the margin than the one obtained in the present work. Additionally, it was observed that mantle convection may induce stress at the base of the lithosphere that dynamically moves it in the geological time, and may influence the stratigraphic evolution of sedimentary basins. It is presented about 60 scenarios showing how the variation of the rheological structure of the mantle is taken into account in the thermal evolution of the lithosphere and consequently in the subsidence history of the margin.