Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements (JPCP) are some the most popular forms of concrete pavement that are used in the state of Georgia. Each year the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) inspects and surveys their highways to determine what condition the pavement is in and if any rehabilitation is required to maintain the integrity of the highway. These annual surveys include the JPCP and the key concrete pavement characteristics that are used to determine the condition of the JPCP are the faulting at the joints and the roughness of the section. Since it is well known that concrete will exhibit slight movement when subjected to thermal variations it is possible that the these minor movements could have an impact on the measured slab properties used to rate the JPCP section. The focus of this research is to develop a methodology to use three dimensional technologies to capture JPCP surface data under a variety of thermal conditions, to develop a procedure to collect and analyze concrete temperature data, to develop a method to analyze the surface data and how to correlate all of the data that was collected. Three test sites were chosen that covered a total of 6 test sections that were composed of 25 slabs and 26 joints each. This provided a total of 150 slabs and 156 joints that were used for analysis. A single slab was selected as a test specimen to install thermal logging devices into so that the temperature distributions through the slab could be investigated. Three positions were monitored to determine if the position that the temperature gradient was measured was critical. It was found that the temperature followed a similar trend for all of the positions with the profiles being slightly shifted from each other. It was also concluded that the temperature in the bottom of the slab was approximately the same as the temperature in the base. It was discovered that the maximum positive temperature gradient occurred simultaneously with the maximum ambient air temperature and the maximum surface temperature. The results showed that the surface temperature followed a trend similar to the ambient air temperature. However the surface temperature was greater throughout the day. The faulting analysis results indicated that out of the 156 joints inspected only 15 showed a variation in the average faulting that was greater than the 0.5 mm (0.02 in) accuracy of the sensors used to collect the JPCP surface data. Further investigation revealed that there was no clear trend between the temperature change and the average faulting variation. It was concluded that if there was a change in the average faulting due to temperature it is smaller than what can be depicted by the sensing vehicle and it is less than the 1 mm (0.04 in) measurement accuracy that is specified in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) R36-04 specification which governs the accuracy requirements for automated faulting measurement methods. The International Roughness Index (IRI) was the method used to measure the roughness on each test site for each data collection run. This resulted in 336 IRI values that were inspected to determine whether there was an impact from the temperature variations. The IRI results showed that the roughness of the test sections did vary through the day. After it was found that the IRI did vary through the day the IRI distributions were compared to the temperature distribution and 7 out of the 12 distributions studied showed a weak correlation between the temperature and the IRI. The amount of variation in the IRI was not quantified because the exact accuracy of the IRI values attained from the sensing vehicle was unknown. However it was attempted to validate the system and determine the accuracy but one of the validation test sections showed disappointing results while the other two showed promising results. Further research is required to fully evaluate the sensing vehicles ability and accuracy when measuring the IRI. A procedure was also developed to extract the longitudinal and transverse curvature of the concrete pavement slabs. Three test slabs were selected at one of the test sites and curvature results were generated using the developed procedure. The curvature results were visually and quantitatively assessed. The visual analysis indicated that the curvature profiles measured by the 3D line lasers did change throughout the data collection, but the patterns did not follow what was expected and a correlation could not be created with the temperature. The quantitative results for the longitudinal curvature revealed that one of the slabs did show a pattern that followed the temperature changes during the data collection, but it did show as much as 4.65 mm (0.183 in) of change between consecutive data collection runs. The longitudinal curvature results for the other two slabs did not show a trend and exhibited unlikely changes in the curvature measured between consecutive data collection runs, which in some instances the deviation was as much as 12.09 mm (0.480 in). For the transverse curvature one of the slabs indicated that the curvature did not change during the data collection, while the other two showed sudden changes as high as 2.16 mm (0.085 in) between consecutive data collection runs. The developed procedure is only preliminary and needs to be further evaluated and refined for it to be able to adequately measure the curvature of as slab. The results also need to be verified using actual measured ground truth curvatures to determine the validity of using the developed procedure and the 3D line laser data to measure the curvature of concrete slabs. Once the procedure is proven to produce reliable results it should be compared to other curvature computation methods, such as those that utilize road profilers or LIDARs, to determine which method is the best.

abstract: In this work, an advanced simulation study of reliability in millimeter-wave (mm-wave) GaN Devices for power amplifier (PA) applications is performed by means of a particle-based full band Cellular Monte Carlo device simulator (CMC). The goal of the study is to obtain a systematic characterization of the performance of GaN devices operating in DC, small signal AC and large-signal radio-frequency (RF) conditions emphasizing on the microscopic properties that correlate to degradation of device performance such as generation of hot carriers, presence of material defects and self-heating effects. First, a review of concepts concerning GaN technology, devices, reliability mechanisms and PA design is presented in chapter 2. Then, in chapter 3 a study of non-idealities of AlGaN/GaN heterojunction diodes is performed, demonstrating that mole fraction variations and the presence of unintentional Schottky contacts are the main limiting factor for high current drive of the devices under study. Chapter 4 consists in a study of hot electron generation in GaN HEMTs, in terms of the accurate simulation of the electron energy distribution function (EDF) obtained under DC and RF operation, taking into account frequency and temperature variations. The calculated EDFs suggest that Class AB PAs operating at low frequency (10 GHz) are more robust to hot carrier effects than when operating under DC or high frequency RF (up to 40 GHz). Also, operation under Class A yields higher EDFs than Class AB indicating lower reliability. This study is followed in chapter 5 by the proposal of a novel π-Shaped gate contact for GaN HEMTs which effectively reduces the hot electron generation while preserving device performance. Finally, in chapter 6 the electro-thermal characterization of GaN-on-Si HEMTs is performed by means of an expanded CMC framework, where charge and heat transport are self-consistently coupled. After the electro-thermal model is validated to experimental data, the assessment of self-heating under lateral scaling is considered. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 2018

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FE-modeling is a rapidly spreading method to analyze structures nowadays. With this theunderstanding of the outcome is of very high importance and potential inaccuracies areimportant to find so that faulty and over dimensioning of the structure does not occur whichleads to unnecessary costs. One of these inaccuracies is the unrealistic sectional forces that occurdue to thermal effects in the transversal direction for concrete frame bridges which leads to anexcessive amount much reinforcement in the structure than actually needed. This has beenstudied with several cases by using two approaches on how to apply the temperature in the framebridge, only in the superstructure and in the whole structure, but also by analyzing severalboundary conditions. By examining the results for the sectional forces and stresses one of thetemperature approaches could be disregarded because of the extreme values in the transitionbetween superstructure and support. But the other approach was much more useful because ofits better compliance with reality. With these results and by calculating the reinforcement neededfor the worst case, one model has been found to be the most favorable and can be used whenmodeling concrete frame bridges with acceptable outcome. The study resulted in a model whereone applies a varying temperature on the whole structure, with spring boundary conditions over asurface that represents the bottom slab.

This thesis contains the results of research on the spectral control of lasers, specifically, the thermal limitations of volume Bragg gratings (VBGs), employed as laser-cavity end mirrors. The investigations consisted of both experiments and numerical simulations. For the experiments, a diode-pumped Yb:KYW laser with a VBG that had an absorption coefficient of 2.8% cm-1, in the 1 μm spectral region, was constructed. The computer model comprised of a transfer-matrix model and a three-dimensional, finite element model, working together. The absorption of the reflected laser beam changed the reflecting properties of the VBG, which affected the laser’s stability and other performances. The primary effect was a broadening of the grating spectrum accompanied by decreased diffraction efficiency. The reduced reflectivity lead to a leakage of the radiation through the grating during lasing. Both the experiments and the simulations showed that the laser became successively more unstable when the power was increased. Also, the simulations showed that this increased sensitivity was due to a reshaping of the intensity distribution profile inside the grating, which, in turn, lead to a sharp reduction of the diffraction efficiency. For circulating powers above this limit, the laser output rolled off and the power was instead leaking out through the VBG. Furthermore, the simulations also showed that the power limit was highly dependent on the length of the employed VBG. For instance, a 2 mm long VBG could withstand approximately 9.5 times higher incident power than a 10 mm long one could. Also, it was found that the limit, expressed in the terms of the incident power, related approximately linearly to the size of the beam radius. / Denna licentiatavhandling innehåller forskningsresultat som behandlar spektral kontroll av lasrar, specifikt genom volymbraggitters (VBG) termiska begränsningar, då de används som speglar i laserkaviteter. Undersökningarna bestod av både experiment och simuleringar. För experimenten konstruerades en diod-pumpad Yb:KYW laser med ett VBG som hade en absorptionskoefficient på 2,8% cm-1, i våglängdsområdet kring en mikrometer. Datormodellen innefattade en modell av gitterstrukturen baserad på överföringsmatriser och en tredimensionell modell baserad på finita elementmetoden, för beräkning av värme-fördelningen. Absorption av den reflekterade laserstrålen ändrade volymbraggittrets reflekterande egenskaper, vilket i sin tur påverkade laserns stabilitet och dess prestanda. De huvudsakliga effekterna var en breddning av gittrets spektra och en minskad diffraktionsverkningsgrad. Både experimenten och simuleringarna visade att en laser blir successivt mer instabil när den optiska effekten ökar. Simuleringarna visade även att den ökade känsligheten berodde på en förändring av intensitetsfördelningen inuti gittret, vilket accelererade reduktionen av gittrets reflekterande förmåga. Uttryckt i mot gittret infallande effekt, har lasern en tydlig övre effektgräns. När den gränsen har uppnåtts leder vidare ökning av pumpeffekten i huvudsak till ökat läckage genom volymbraggittret, och inte till ökad uteffekt hos laserstrålen. Vidare visade simuleringarna också att en lasers effektgräns är starkt beroende av längden på det använda volymbraggittret. Till exempel tålde ett 2 mm långt gitter cirka 9,5 gånger högre infallande effekt än ett 10 mm långt gitter. Dessutom visade det sig att effektgränsen, uttryckt i infallande effekt, berodde approximativt linjärt på strålradiens storlek. / <p>QC 20130507</p>

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No description available.

In the past few years a new class of layered piezoceramic and piezoceramic-composite actuators, known as RAINBOW and GRAPHBOW, respectively, that are capable of achieving 100 times greater out-of-plane displacements than previously available has been developed. Prior to the development of RAINBOW and GRAPHBOW, large stacks of piezoelectric actuators, requiring complicated electronic drive circuits, were necessary to achieve the displacement now possible through the use of a single RAINBOW actuator. The major issues with both RAINBOW and GRAPHBOW are the prediction of their room-temperature shapes after processing, and their deformation response under application of electric field. In this research, a methodology for predicting the manufactured shapes of rectangular and disk-style RAINBOW and GRAPHBOW is developed. All of the predictive analyses developed are based on finding approximate displacement responses that minimize the total potential energy of the devices through the use of variational methods and the Rayleigh-Ritz technique. These analyses are based on classical layered plate theory and assumed the various layers exhibited linear elastic, temperature-independent behavior. Geometric nonlinearities are important and are included in the strain-displacement relations. Stability of the predicted shapes is determined by examining the second variation of the total potential energy. These models are easily modified to account for the deformations induced by actuation of the piezoceramic. The results indicate that for a given set of material properties, rectangular RAINBOW can have critical values of sidelength-to-thickness ratio (Lx/H or Ly/H) below which RAINBOW exhibits unique, or single-valued, spherical or domed shapes when cooled from the processing temperature to room temperature. For values of sidelength-to-thickness ratio greater than the critical value, RAINBOW exhibits multiple room-temperature shapes. Two of the shapes are stable and are, in general, near-cylindrical. The third shape is spherical and is unstable. Similarly, disk-style RAINBOW can have critical values of radius-to-thickness ratios (R/H) below which RAINBOW exhibits axisymmetric room-temperature shapes. For values of R/H greater than the critical value, disk-style RAINBOW exhibits two stable near-cylindrical shapes and one unstable axisymmetric shape. Moreover, it is found that for the set of material properties used in this study, the optimal reduced layer thickness would be at 55%, since the maximum change in curvature is achieved under the application of an electric field, while the relationship between the change in curvatures and the electric field is kept very close to being linear. In general, good agreement is found for comparisons between the predicted and manufactured shapes of RAINBOW. A multi-step thermoelastic analysis is developed to model the addition of the fiber-reinforced composite layer to RAINBOW to make GRAPHBOW. Results obtained for rectangular RAINBOW indicate that if the bifurcation temperature in the temperature-curvature relation is lower than the composite cure temperature, then a unique stable GRAPHBOW shape can be obtained. If the RAINBOW bifurcation temperature is above the composite cure temperature, multiple room-temperature GRAPHBOW shapes are obtained and saddle-node bifurcations can be encountered during the cooling to room temperature of [0°/RAINBOW], [RAINBOW/0o], and [0o2/RAINBOW]. Rectangular [RAINBOW/0o/90o] seems to be less likely to encounter saddle-node bifurcations. Furthermore, the unstable spherical RAINBOW configuration is converted to a stable near-cylindrical configuration. For the case considered of disk-style GRAPHBOW, three stable room-temperature shapes are obtained and the unstable axisymmetric RAINBOW configuration is also converted to a stable near-cylindrical configuration. For both rectangular and disk-style GRAPHBOW, the relationship between the major curvature and the electric field is shown to be very close to being linear. This characteristic would aid any dynamic analysis of RAINBOW or GRAPHBOW. / Ph. D.

Much of North America’s reinforced concrete infrastructure is reaching the end of its service life and careful inspection and assessment is required to ensure the appropriate capacity is maintained in these structures. The research conducted herein seeks to further the development of two new sensor technologies: fibre optic strain sensors and digital image correlation, which have the potential to provide comprehensive performance data for structures to a level of accuracy previously not possible. The research involves determining the accuracy of these sensor systems to monitor both strain and crack widths in reinforced concrete compared to conventional techniques, such as electrical resistance strain gauges. Preliminary work was also undertaken on correcting the sensor results for temperature. It was determined that temperature variations in the range of +21 °C to 20 °C, result in significant strain errors for both sensor systems. Once the results obtained from the sensors systems are corrected for temperature, crack widths are monitored in four small-scale reinforced concrete tension specimens, and strain and crack width behaviour is monitored in four full-scale beams under four point bending. One of the major problems faced when using the digital image correlation technique is out of plane movement which results in significant error. Techniques to lower this error are addressed. In addition, obtaining a more robust understanding of the effects of temperature on crack widths, stiffness, strength and short term creep behaviour of reinforced concrete elements is explored to improve structural monitoring and numerical models used for analysis. Four full-scale beams, two at room temperature and two at 20 °C, were loaded to failure under four point bending. A comparison of the room temperature and low temperature test results show that the cracks tend to close up at lower temperatures in members that are free to expand and contract. This behaviour results in a potential increase in shear capacity for beams at lower temperatures. The low temperature beams also saw a minor increase in strength, but saw no noticeable increase in stiffness. Lastly, short term creep behaviour was reduced in the low temperature beams once the formation of ice occurred. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2012-10-31 11:08:32.631

L’objectif de la thèse est de développer une nouvelle technique d’optique adaptive pour les interferomètres gravitationels avancés, basée sur un nouveau type de miroir pour le faisceau d’injection de l’interferomètre. Le miroir déformable, basé sur une actuation thermique, doit etre un outil compatible ultra-vide, qui fonctionne sans bruit électronique ou mécanique, bon marché et permettre la correction des modes d’ordre supérieurs afin d’améliorer le matching des faisceaux de haute puissance dans les cavités laser du détecteur sous ultra-vide. Un montage experimental de caractérisation du miroir déformable a été mis en place afin d’effectuer les tests de validation du premier prototype sous air. L’élaboration d’une procédure de caractérisation des propriétés du miroir et d’une boucle de controle a permis de développer une approche efficace pour déterminer les possibilités et les limites du miroir. Nous avons ainsi pu faire la démonstration de sa capacite a corriger les aberrations de phase d’un faisceau laser infrarouge a différentes fréquences spatiales. Nous avons également démontré que le miroir vérifie les performances de stabilité, de reproductibilité et de linearité attendues. Nous avons ensuite validé l’amélioration du mode matching d’un faisceau laser sur une cavité de réference par le miroir thermiquement déformable / In this thesis we develop a new technique of adaptive optics for the Advanced Gravitational Interferometers, based on a new type of deformable mirror for the injection beam of the interferometer. This deformable mirror, based on a thermal actuation, has to be a high vacuum compatible and low-cost device, that is working without any electronic or mechanic noise. It has to allow the correction of high order modes to improve the matching of high power laser beams in the interferometer.An experimental setup has been made to characterize the first prototype on air. An efficient process and a control loop have allowed to determine the possibilities and limits of the device. We have demonstrated its ability to correct high order modes of an infrared laser beam. Afterwards, we have validated the improvement of mode matching into a fixed cavity.