Recent investigations of a strut-braced wing (SBW) aircraft show that, at high positive load factors, a large tensile force in the strut leads to a considerable compressive axial force in the inner wing, resulting in a reduced bending stiffness and even buckling of the wing. Studying the influence of this compressive force on the structural response of SBW is thus of paramount importance in the early stage of SBW design. The purpose of the this research is to investigate the effect of compressive force on aeroelastic stability of the SBW using efficient structural finite element and aerodynamic lifting surface methods. A procedure is developed to generate wing stiffness distribution for detailed and simplified wing models and to include the compressive force effect in the SBW aeroelastic analysis. A sensitivity study is performed to generate response surface equations for the wing flutter speed as functions of several design variables. These aeroelastic procedures and response surface equations provide a valuable tool and trend data to study the unconventional nature of SBW. In order to estimate the effect of the compressive force, the inner part of the wing structure is modeled as a beam-column. A structural finite element method is developed based on an analytical stiffness matrix formulation of a non-uniform beam element with arbitrary polynomial variations in the cross section. By using this formulation, the number of elements to model the wing structure can be reduced without degrading the accuracy. The unsteady aerodynamic prediction is based on a discrete element lifting surface method. The present formulation improves the accuracy of existing lifting surface methods by implementing a more rigorous treatment on the aerodynamic kernel integration. The singularity of the kernel function is isolated by implementing an exact expansion series to solve an incomplete cylindrical function problem. A hybrid doublet lattice/doublet point scheme is devised to reduce the computational time. SBW aircraft selected for the present study is the fuselage-mounted engine configuration. The results indicate that the detrimental effect of the compressive force to the wing buckling and flutter speed is significant if the wing-strut junction is placed near the wing tip. / Ph. D.

This study utilizes Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) techniques to explore the effectiveness of the truss-braced (TBW) and strut-braced (SBW) wing configurations in enhancing the performance of medium range, transonic transport aircraft. The truss and strut-braced wing concepts synergize structures and aerodynamics to create a planform with decreased weight and drag. Past studies at Virginia Tech have found that these configurations can achieve significant performance benefits when compared to a cantilever aircraft with a long range, Boeing 777-200ER-like mission. The objective of this study is to explore these benefits when applied to a medium range Boeing 737-800NG-like aircraft with a cruise Mach number of 0.78, a 3,115 nautical mile range, and 162 passengers. Results demonstrate the significant performance benefits of the SBW and TBW configurations. Both configurations exhibit reduced weight and fuel consumption. Configurations are also optimized for 1990's or advanced technology aerodynamics. For the 1990's technology minimum TOGW cases, the SBW and TBW configurations achieve reductions in the TOGW of as much as 6% with 20% less fuel weight than the comparable cantilever configurations. The 1990's technology minimum fuel cases offer fuel weight reductions of about 13% compared to the 1990's technology minimum TOGW configurations and 11% when compared to the 1990's minimum fuel optimized cantilever configurations. The advanced aerodynamics technology minimum TOGW configurations feature an additional 4% weight savings over the comparable 1990's technology results while the advanced technology minimum fuel cases show fuel savings of 12% over the 1990's minimum fuel results. This translates to a 15% reduction in TOGW for the advanced technology minimum TOGW cases and a 47% reduction in fuel consumption for the advanced technology minimum fuel cases when compared to the simulated Boeing 737-800NG. It is found that the TBW configurations do not offer significant performance benefits over the comparable SBW designs. / Master of Science

In recent years, research has been conducted for alternative commercial transonic aircraft design configurations, such as the strut- braced wing and the truss-braced wing aircraft designs, in order to improve aircraft performance and reduce the impact of aircraft emissions as compared to a typical cantilever wing design. Research performed by Virginia Tech in conjunction with NASA Langley Research Center shows that these alternative configurations result in 20% or more reduction in fuel consumption, and thus emissions. Another option to reduce the impact of emissions on the environment is to reduce the aircraft cruise altitude, where less nitrous oxides are released into the atmosphere and contrail formation is less likely. The following study was performed using multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) in ModelCenterTM for cantilever wing, strut-braced wing, and truss-braced wing designs and optimized for minimum takeoff gross weight at 7730 NM range and minimum fuel weight for 7730 and 4000 NM range at the following cruise altitudes: 25,000; 30,000; and 35,000 ft. For the longer range, both objective functions exhibit a large penalty in fuel weight and takeoff gross weight due to the increased drag from the fixed fuselage when reducing cruise altitude. For the shorter range, there was a slight increase in takeoff gross weight even though there was a large increase in fuel weight for decreased cruise altitudes. Thus, the benefits of reducing cruise altitude were offset by increased fuel weight. Either a two-jury truss-braced wing or telescopic strut could be studied to reduce the fuel penalty. / Master of Science

A significant improvement can be achieved in the performance of transonic transport aircraft using Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) by implementing truss-braced wing concepts in combination with other advanced technologies and novel design innovations. A considerable reduction in drag can be obtained by using a high aspect ratio wing with thin airfoil sections and tip-mounted engines. However, such wing structures could suffer from a significant weight penalty. Thus, the use of an external strut or a truss bracing is promising for weight reduction. Due to the unconventional nature of the proposed concept, commonly available wing weight equations for transport aircraft will not be sufficiently accurate. Hence, a bending material weight calculation procedure was developed to take into account the influence of the strut upon the wing weight, and this was coupled to the Flight Optimization System (FLOPS) for total wing weight estimation. The wing bending material weight for single-strut configurations is estimated by modeling the wing structure as an idealized double-plate model using a piecewise linear load method. Two maneuver load conditions 2.5g and -1.0g factor of safety of 1.5 and a 2.0g taxi bump are considered as the critical load conditions to determine the wing bending material weight. From preliminary analyses, the buckling of the strut under the -1.0g load condition proved to be the critical structural challenge. To address this issue, an innovative design strategy introduces a telescoping sleeve mechanism to allow the strut to be inactive during negative g maneuvers and active during positive g maneuvers. Also, more wing weight reduction is obtained by optimizing the strut force, a strut offset length, and the wing-strut junction location. The best configuration shows a 9.2% savings in takeoff gross weight, an 18.2% savings in wing weight and a 15.4% savings in fuel weight compared to a cantilever wing counterpart. / Master of Science

This thesis deals with the design of an anti-skid brake controller for a generic fighter aircraft. Antiskid brake controllers prevent wheel locking and maximize the coefficient of friction between the tyre and the ground, resulting in lower stopping distance and time. The frictional force is maximized by regulating the slip. A model for the landing gear is first developed, which consists of the translational and rotational motions of the wheel, the equation for the slip and the elastic landing gear strut dynamics. The elastic behaviour of the landing gear is characterized through its modal frequencies, obtained from a Finite element analysis. As the governing equations are nonlinear, with linear elastic deformations of the strut, feedback linearization is used to design the anti-skid controller. The brake controller is found to work well. Its stability is verified through numerical simulations. Both the plant parameters and the sensor measurements are perturbed up to 10% from their nominal values. It is seen that the feedback linearization tolerates these variations quite well. The system is exceptionally tolerant to sensor noises. The torsional stiffness of the strut is found to be more critical than the longitudinal stiffness. Limits on the torsional stiffness that can be tolerated by the controller are found. This determines the limits on the stiffness of the landing gear beyond which gear walk may appear. The thesis concludes with suggestions for future work in this exciting field.

In this paper, we present a new compact hydraulic linear actuator. The concept is developed to change the rolling piston diameter of an active air spring during usage. By doing so, the air spring can actively apply pressure and tension forces. The actuator is designed for small movements at high forces. It is insensitive to side forces, which are introduced by the bellows rolling on the rolling piston of the air spring. A diaphragm sealing is used to minimize friction. Hence a precise adjustment of small displacements at high dynamics is possible and the system is completely leakage-free. We describe the design and development of this actuator and show first measurement results from preliminary tests to show its functionality.

Several reinforced concrete bent caps (deep beams) in Texas have developed significant diagonal cracks in service. The cracking in two bent caps was so extensive that costly retrofits were implemented to strengthen the structures. Strut-and-tie modeling is currently recommended in most U.S. design specifications for the design of reinforced concrete bent caps and deep beams. Designers have expressed concerns with the lack of clarity and serviceability-related considerations in strut-and-tie model design provisions. Due to concerns with strut-and-tie modeling design provisions and field problems of in-service bent caps, TxDOT Project 5253 was funded. Several tasks conducted within Project 5253 are addressed in this dissertation. The effects of minimum web reinforcement and member depth on the strength and serviceability behavior of deep beams are presented. The transition between deep beam shear capacity and sectional shear capacity near a shear-span-to-depth (a/d) ratio of 2 is addressed. A service-load shear check to limit diagonal cracking in service is outlined. Lastly, a simple chart that correlates the maximum width of diagonal cracks in a deep beam to its residual capacity is developed. To accomplish the objectives of Project 5253, thirty-seven tests were conducted on reinforced concrete beams with the following cross-sectional dimensions: 21”x23”, 21”x42”, 21”x44”, 21”x75”, and 36”x48.” The specimens were loaded with a/d ratios of 1.2, 1.85, and 2.5. The test specimens are among the largest reinforced concrete deep beams in the literature. To supplement the findings of the experimental program, a database of deep beam test results was compiled. Entries in the database that lacked sufficient information and that did not meet established cross-sectional size or web reinforcement criteria were filtered from the database. The use of the database in conjunction with the experimental program enabled each objective to be addressed from both broad and specific viewpoints. Several recommendations for improving the strength and serviceability design of deep beams are presented including a minimum web reinforcement requirement, provisions to ease the transition between calculated deep beam and sectional shear capacity, and a design check to limit diagonal cracking in service. / text

Esta pesquisa realiza a análise do comportamento estrutural de blocos rígidos de concreto armado sobre duas estacas submetidos à ação de força vertical centrada, com pilares de seções quadradas e retangulares e diferentes taxas de armaduras de pilares. Nestes elementos utilizam-se o método das Bielas e Tirantes para o projeto estrutural, mas normalmente não se considera a influência da seção geométrica dos pilares e suas taxas de armadura no projeto do bloco. Apresenta-se um estudo experimental de doze modelos de blocos sobre duas estacas, na escala 1:2. Foi desenvolvida uma análise numérica tridimensional e não linear, pelo método dos elementos finitos, com o auxílio de um programa de computador. Com a análise experimental e numérica foi investigada a distribuição do fluxo das tensões principais de compressão e tração nos modelos e constataram-se diferenças na transmissão de forças para os blocos quando se altera a taxa de armadura e a seção transversal dos pilares. Esta constatação modifica o modelo de Biela e Tirante inicialmente adotado. As deformações em armaduras construtivas complementares também foram estudadas possibilitando o entendimento do modelo estrutural. Um modelo de Bielas e Tirantes para blocos sobre estaca com pilares alongados foi proposto. / This research presents an analysis of the rigid two-pile caps structural behavior. The models were subjected to force action centered and supported columns with different rate of armor and square and rectangular cross sections. These elements can be rigid or flexible, rigid pile-caps can be sized using the Method of Strut and Tie. In most cases the Method of Strut and Tie and the influence of column reinforcement are not considered in the pile-cap´s structural projects. This research presents an experimental investigation of two-pile caps with the objective of improve criteria structural projects. Twelve rigid two-pile caps were builded using 1:2 scaled models. Three-dimensional numerical analyses using software based on element finite method (FEM) were developed considering the reinforced concrete nonlinear behavior. Using results of experimental analysis and numerical analysis an investigation of the flow distribution of the principal stresses of compression and tension in the models was performed, differences in the transmission of forces to the pile-caps, when changing the reinforcement ratio and the cross section of the columns, were detected. The initial model of strut and tie may be modified due to results. The understanding of the structural model was also possible by analysis of the stirrups and upper constructive reinforcement stress-strain behavior. A strut and tie model for pile-caps with an elongated rectangular column was proposed.

A pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar e discutir o comportamento de blocos de concreto armado sobre duas estacas submetidos à ação de força centrada e excêntrica. Desenvolveu-se uma análise numérica tridimensional não-linear de blocos de concreto armado sobre duas estacas. A análise numérica levou em consideração a fissuração do concreto e a influência das armaduras no comportamento estrutural dos blocos. Por meio da análise numérica, foi possível perceber o comportamento e a forma geométrica das bielas de compressão, com isso, obteve-se melhor entendimento do modelo de bielas (escoras) e tirantes aplicado a blocos de concreto armado sobre duas estacas. A geometria observada nos modelos numéricos analisados preliminarmente difere da usualmente sugerida por vários autores. Realizou-se investigação experimental de blocos, com o fim principal de observar, de modo mais abrangente, a geometria das bielas de compressão. A instrumentação foi posicionada nas faces dos blocos com extensômetros espaçados de modo a ocuparem boa parte da largura e, conseqüentemente, indicarem as suas geometrias. A análise experimental de blocos sobre duas estacas submetidos à ação de força excêntrica permitiu observar o comportamento das bielas e tirantes que diferem dos observados quando a força é centrada. Também foi analisada a eficiência dos ganchos das barras de aço que compõem os tirantes, verificando-se que os ganchos podem ser omitidos sem prejuízo da segurança estrutural dos blocos. Em função dos resultados obtidos por meio das análises experimental e numérica desenvolveram-se modelos de bielas e tirantes aplicados a blocos sobre duas estacas / The research had as objective to analyze and to argue about the behavior of two pile caps submitted to the action of a centered and eccentric load. A nonlinear three-dimensional numerical analysis of two pile caps was developed. The numerical analysis included the cracking and the influence of the reinforcement in the structural behavior of the pile caps. By the numerical analysis, it was possible to perceive the behavior and the geometric form of the strut, with this understand the model strut-and-tie applied to the two pile caps. The geometry observed in the numerical models analyzed at first differs from the usually suggested by some authors. This project realized experimental tests of piles caps to observe the geometry of the struts. The instrumentation was located in the faces of the pile caps with spaced strain-gages in order to occupy good part of the width and, consequently, indicate its geometry. The experimental analysis of two pile caps submitted to the eccentric load allowed the behavior observation of the strut and tie that differ from the one observed when the load was centered. Also the efficiency of the hooks of the reinforced bar was analyzed, therefore, in the experimental analysis of pile caps already developed, it was verified that the hooks can be omitted without damage of the structural security of the pile caps. For treating the procedure defined in the project, and taking advantage of the experimental analysis realized, it was understood that this requirement can be analyzed and that the results will bring benefits to the project. In function of the results obtained through the experimental and numeric analysis strut-and-tie models were developed to be applied in two pile caps

The objective of this thesis was to investigate the role of hydroxyapatite and silicate-substituted hydroxyapatite synthetic bone graft substitute (SBG) material properties in modulating the processes of protein adsorption and desorption, and their combined role in the subsequent regulation of cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation on the surfaces of these materials in vitro. As a result of their purported role in promoting osteogenic behaviour in vivo the materials parameters selected for investigation were chemistry (stoichiometric hydroxyapatite (HA) versus 0.8wt% silicate-substituted hydroxyapatite (SA)) and strut porosity (20% versus 30% strut porosity). Cell attachment and response to different SBG was assessed to samples in the ‘as received’ condition as well as after a series of sequentially varied pre-treatments with solutions of phosphate buffered saline or cell culture media either unsupplemented or in combination with mixed serum proteins and/or Fibronectin (Fn). This enabled investigation of the effect of sample chemistry and strut porosity on mixed serum protein interactions and Fn adsorption under both competitive and non-competitive conditions, and the study of subsequent regulation of cell attachment and response as a consequence of pre-treatment. Results showed that serum protein interactions were key to modulation of cell response to chemistry, and there was evidence that for Fn this may be related to conformational changes in the adsorbed protein rather than its level of enrichment in the protein interlayer. In terms of the materials properties investigated strut porosity was found to be the most dominant factor in the regulation of cell response, where SBG with 30% strut porosity promoted human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) osteoblastic differentiation. Moreover hMSC response to SBG with 30% strut porosity seemed to be less sensitive to pre-treatment. In conclusion, the results of these experiments indicate that strut porosity more directly influences the cellular response to HA and SA BGS than chemistry in vitro. Moreover, the role that Fn and other serum proteins have in regulating this response is dependent on the physiological environment and BGS chemistry.