abstract: This research focuses on the benefits of using nanocomposites in aerospace structural components to prevent or delay the onset of unique composite failure modes, such as delamination. Analytical, numerical, and experimental analyses were conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of how carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can provide additional structural integrity when they are used in specific hot spots within a structure. A multiscale approach was implemented to determine the mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites, which were used in detailed finite element models (FEMs) to analyze interlaminar failures in T and Hat section stringers. The delamination that first occurs between the tow filler and the bondline between the stringer and skin was of particular interest. Both locations are considered to be hot spots in such structural components, and failures tend to initiate from these areas. In this research, nanocomposite use was investigated as an alternative to traditional methods of suppressing delamination. The stringer was analyzed under different loading conditions and assuming different structural defects. Initial damage, defined as the first drop in the load displacement curve was considered to be a useful variable to compare the different behaviors in this study and was detected via the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) implemented in the FE analysis. Experiments were conducted to test T section skin/stringer specimens under pull-off loading, replicating those used in composite panels as stiffeners. Two types of designs were considered: one using pure epoxy to fill the tow region and another that used nanocomposite with 5 wt. % CNTs. The response variable in the tests was the initial damage. Detailed analyses were conducted using FEMs to correlate with the experimental data. The correlation between both the experiment and model was satisfactory. Finally, the effects of thermal cure and temperature variation on nanocomposite structure behavior were studied, and both variables were determined to influence the nanocomposite structure performance. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Aerospace Engineering 2014

M.Sc. / This study focuses on the Merensky Reef (MR) occurring within the Two Rivers Platinum mine property in the farm Dwarsriver 372 KT, on the Southern sector of the Eastern Limb of the Bushveld Complex. Five MR exploratory drill core intersections were obtained. Petrographic and mineral chemical characteristics of these drill core samples focused on the characterization of minerals like clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, chromite and olivine. Data of the cryptic variation of orthopyroxene, plagioclase and chromite, from a 10 m interval (approximate thickness of the section studied); from footwall through the MR to the hangingwall lithologies at Dwarsriver are described in this study. Locally the vertical cryptic variation of these minerals is broadly consistent with regional trends of the RLS. The lateral variation (i.e. along strike) is less pronounced; however, locally these minerals appear to be chemically evolving moving to the south of the property. Footwall orthopyroxene compositions vary from a minimum of En66 and reach a maximum of En84. Those of the MR range from En71 to En85. Hangingwall orthopyroxene compositions range from En60 and reach a maximum of En80. Plagioclase compositions in the footwall units range from a minimum of An69 and reach a maximum of An85. Those of the MR range from a minimum of An35 to a maximum of An84. This wide range in plagioclase compositions is believed to be as a result of the increased presence of fluids within the MR interval. The hangingwall plagioclase compositions range from An64 to An84. By analogy of the Western Limb, where the lithologies of the Northwestern sector are believed to be proximal to the feeder of this limb; the local lateral variation in the present study suggests that the lithologies of either the Central or Western sectors are most probably proximal to the feeder for the Eastern Limb. PGM assemblages associated with and adjacent to the MR chromitite stringers were evaluated using an MLA. Data obtained from this technique is in broad agreement with regional studies of the MR. With the aid of wholerock PGE assays the MLA technique has proven to be a powerful tool in evaluating PGM assemblages relatively quickly, from a few carefully selected samples. The mineralogical associations of the PGM with the gangue and host minerals have shown three main associations. These are the associations of chromite, BMS and silicates with the PGM, of which the base metal sulfide (BMS) association is remarkable given that these have a relatively low modal abundance. The relatively high mineralogical association of the BMS with PGM has been explained by a model involving a base metal sulfide liquid which possibly scavenged chalcophile and siderophile elements. Chromite chemistry and modal analyses of MR secondary silicate phases, which peak adjacent to the chromitite stringers, suggests elevated fluid overprinting within and adjacent to the chromitite stringers. The upper chromitite stringers, however, have higher abundances of PGM phases that are believed to be secondary in origin relative to the basal chromitite stringers. Generally the PGM associated with the upper chromitite stringers are also bigger in size averaging 70 μm as opposed to 27 μm for those associated with the basal chromitite stringers. The increase in grain size of the PGM along with the higher modal abundance of secondary PGM phases associated with the upper stringers is believed to be as a result of fluids. These fluids although affecting both the upper and basal chromitite stringers, appear to have had a relatively higher influence on the upper chromitite stringers. The most common PGMs encountered in this study are isoferroplatinum, sperrylite, michenerite, maslovite, cooperite, laurite and braggite.

This thesis presents a study about the determination of the stress intensity factors in cracked sheets with riveted stiffeners. Stress intensity factors are determined with both analytical method and finite element method for different combination of rivet/stringer spacing and stringer to sheet stiffness ratio. Analytical part of the thesis is a replication of the original study of Poe which assumes rigid rivet connections with no stringer offset. In the analytical part, the whole systems of equations of Poe are re-derived, and it is shown that there are two typographical errors in the expressions for the calculation of the influence coefficients of the cracked sheet and the stringer. Major objective of the analytical part is to develop a computer code which calculates the variation of the normalized stress intensity factor with the crack length for any combination of rivet/stringer spacing and stringer to sheet stiffness ratio. Analytical part of the study also covers the effect of broken stiffener on the stress intensity factor of the cracked sheet. The stress intensity factors of stiffened cracked sheets are calculated by the finite element method by incorporating fastener flexibility and stringer offset. Finite element solutions are performed by Franc2D/L and Abaqus, and comparisons are made. The effect of geometry, fastener flexibility, and stringer offset on the stress intensity factors are studied by presenting normalized stress intensity factor versus crack length curves. Finally, as a case study a sample damage tolerant stiffened panel is designed according to FAR 25 safety criteria. Experiments are performed for determining mechanical and crack growth properties of Al 2124 which is used as the material in the case study. Present study showed that the most significant effect on the stress intensity factor is seen when stringer-cracked sheet offset is included in the analysis model.

The traditional beam theory cannot be applied to study walls, corbels and regions with holes or change of inertia, because the Navier-Bernoulli s hypothesis cannot be used to these cases. Procedures based in the plates theories, the finite element method or truss-and-tie method are often used to study these type of reinforced concrete structures. In this work, an alternative procedure that joins the advantages of truss-and-tie method and finite element method is used to design the above mentioned types of reinforced concrete structures. Using this procedure, called Stringer and panel model, the structures are modeled as a group of panels with their edges stiffened by straight bars (stringers). It s supposed that the stringers transmit only axial forces, while the panels, transmit only shear forces. The analyses can be made considering the distribution of elastic stresses, called linear analysis, or considering the redistribution of stresses due to the concrete crack. Examples are analyzed, and the results for the reinforcement are compared with the other results obtained by the use of other methods. Element size effects on the reinforcement volume are analyzed and the theoretical load-displacement curves are compared with the corresponding experimental load-displacement curves. Finally, comparison between the reinforcement volumes obtained by the linear analysis and by the non linear analysis is made. / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas / A não aplicabilidade da hipótese de Navier-Bernoulli implica na não validade do uso da tradicional teoria de vigas no estudo de vigas paredes, consolos curtos, regiões com grandes aberturas ou mudança de inércia. Para estruturas de concreto armado são freqüentemente utilizados procedimentos baseados na teoria das chapas, nos métodos dos elementos finitos e das bielas e tirantes. Neste trabalho, emprega-se para projetos desses tipos de estruturas em concreto armado, um procedimento alternativo que reúne as vantagens do método de bielas e tirantes e do método dos elementos finitos. Através deste procedimento, denominado aqui como Método dos Painéis Enrijecidos (também conhecido na literatura inglesa como Stringer and painel model), a estrutura é modelada como um conjunto de painéis com contornos enrijecidos por barras. Admite-se que as barras transmitem apenas forças normais e os painéis apenas forças de cisalhamento. As análises podem ser feitas considerando-se distribuição de tensões elásticas, denominada de análise linear, ou levando em conta a redistribuição de tensões devido à fissuração do concreto. Os painéis utilizados na discretização das vigas são quadrilaterais quaisquer. Alguns exemplos são analisados e os resultados encontrados para as armaduras são comparados com os obtidos por outros métodos. Também é analisada a influência do tamanho dos elementos no volume de aço obtido, além de se fazer a comparação dos diagramas carga-deslocamento experimental e teórico. Também é comparado o volume de aço obtido com as análises linear e não linear.

The theme of this thesis is the design and assessment of the supporting structure of a footbridge over the river Svratka in Brno. Span bridge is 40 meters and width of 4.2 meters. The bridge is located in the administrative area Brno - Bystrc.

The content of this work was to carry out construction-technical survey of timber structures of the existing building in order to design an appropriate procedure for their reconstruction. The survey showed construction in an unsatisfactory to disrepair, so further work also includes the static calculation of new structures proposed instead of the current. Timber structure in the building has form of staircase, roof and ceiling construction. Newly designed the following types of stairs and roof trusses from which the lower belts are used as ceiling beams. The new proposal also includes possible roofing, roofing options, developed one of them. The work also includes drawings, bill of materials and cost estimate staircase structure and truss. Specialization in the field of civil engineering is represented by drawings of the new truss and passport (view of current state) whole object on parcel ST.74 / 1, land Tišnov (okr.Brno-venkov), the content of which was the basis for this work.