Alkalic porphyry style Au-Cu deposits of the Cadia district are associated with Late-Ordovician monzonite intrusions, which were emplaced during the final phase of Macquarie Arc magmatism at the end of the Benambran Orogeny. N-striking faults, including the curviplanar, northerly striking, moderately west-dipping basement thrust faults of the Cadiangullong system, developed early in the district history. NE-striking faults formed during rifting in the late Silurian. Subsequent E-W directed Siluro- Devonian extension followed by regional E-W shortening during the Devonian Tabberabberan Orogeny dismembered these intrusions, thereby superposing different levels porphyry Au-Cu systems as well as the host stratigraphy. During the late Silurian, the partially exhumed porphyry systems were buried beneath the Waugoola Group sedimentary cover sequence, which is generally preserved in the footwall of the Cadiangullong thrust fault system. The Waugoola Group is a typical rift-sag sequence, deposited initially in local fault-bounded basins which then transitioned to a gradually shallowing marine environment as local topography was overwhelmed. Basin geometry was controlled by pre-existing basement structures, which were subsequently inverted during the Devonian Tabberabberan Orogeny, offsetting the unconformity by up to 300m vertically. In the Waugoola Group cover, this shortening was accommodated via a complex network of minor detachments that strike parallel to major underlying basement faults. For this reason, faults and folds measured at the surface in the sedimentary cover can be used as a predictive tool to infer basement structures at depth.

The timing of motion on thrust faults in the Idaho-Wyoming-Utah (IWU) thrust belt comes from synorogenic sediments, apatite thermochronology and direct dating of fault rocks coupled with good geometrical constraints of the subsurface structure. The thermal history comes from the analyses of apatite thermochronology, thermal maturation of hydrocarbon source rocks and isotope analysis of fluid inclusions from syntectonic veins. New information from zircon fission track and zircon (U-Th)/He analysis provide constraints on the thermal evolution of the IWU thrust belt over geological time. These analyses demonstrate that the time-temperature pathway of the rocks sampled never reached the required conditions to reset the thermochronometers necessary to provide new timing constraints. Previous thermal constraints for maximum temperatures of IWU thrust belt rocks, place the lower limit at ~110°C and the upper limit at ~328°C. New zircon fission track results suggest an upper limit at ~180°C for million year time scales. ID-TIMS and LA-ICPMS of syntectonic calcite veins suggest that new techniques for dating times of active deformation are viable given that radiogenic isotope concentrations occur at sufficient levels within the vein material.

Alkalic porphyry style Au-Cu deposits of the Cadia district are associated with Late-Ordovician monzonite intrusions, which were emplaced during the final phase of Macquarie Arc magmatism at the end of the Benambran Orogeny. N-striking faults, including the curviplanar, northerly striking, moderately west-dipping basement thrust faults of the Cadiangullong system, developed early in the district history. NE-striking faults formed during rifting in the late Silurian. Subsequent E-W directed Siluro- Devonian extension followed by regional E-W shortening during the Devonian Tabberabberan Orogeny dismembered these intrusions, thereby superposing different levels porphyry Au-Cu systems as well as the host stratigraphy. During the late Silurian, the partially exhumed porphyry systems were buried beneath the Waugoola Group sedimentary cover sequence, which is generally preserved in the footwall of the Cadiangullong thrust fault system. The Waugoola Group is a typical rift-sag sequence, deposited initially in local fault-bounded basins which then transitioned to a gradually shallowing marine environment as local topography was overwhelmed. Basin geometry was controlled by pre-existing basement structures, which were subsequently inverted during the Devonian Tabberabberan Orogeny, offsetting the unconformity by up to 300m vertically. In the Waugoola Group cover, this shortening was accommodated via a complex network of minor detachments that strike parallel to major underlying basement faults. For this reason, faults and folds measured at the surface in the sedimentary cover can be used as a predictive tool to infer basement structures at depth.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Recent years have seen a decline in the rate of space exploration due to the inefficiency of chemical rockets. Therefore alternative fuel efficient propulsion methods are being sought to enable cost effective deep space exploration. The high fuel efficiency of electric thrusters enable a spacecraft to travel further, faster and cheaper than any other propulsion technology available. Thus electric propulsion has become the propulsion of choice for scientists and engineers. A typically electric thruster contains some sort of electrode to ionise the propellant. Although this is feasible for short space missions, it becomes impractical for more ambitious space missions as electrodes erode over time. The alternative is to ionise the propellant using electromagnetic fields, which eliminates lifespan issues associated with electrode based thrusters. In order to examine methods of improving the lifespan and performance of electric thrusters, this thesis aimed to study the method of microwave discharge ionisation for an electric thruster. This includes the design of an RF Ion Thruster with extraction and acceleration grids to generate thrust. A 600 W 2.45 GHz magnetron (obtained from a conventional microwave oven), coupled to circular TM010 resonant cavity, was used to ionise neutral argon gas. The process of electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) was used to ensure the efficient ionisation of a high density plasma. The thrust was achieved with a three-grid system biased at high voltages to accelerate positively charged argon ions to high exhaust velocities. Results yielded the success of the designed electromagnetic based thruster, measuring approximatively 1.78 mN of thrust with a specific impulse of Isp = 3786 seconds. The ECR process produced a high plasma density with a plasma absorption rate of approximately 77% of the total input microwave power. The final results obtained were found to match the predicted results extremely well and resembled results found in literature. This demonstrates the efficiency of the RF ion thruster that was designed in this project and the future use in space exploration activities. However, future research needs to be undertaken on a controlled feedback system that will ensure optimal operating conditions for maximum performance. In addition, the method of grid-less acceleration needs to be studied to achieve maximum thrust and specific impulse. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In onlangse jare het ’n afname in die tempo van die verkenning van die ruimte dit te danke aan die ondoeltreffendheid van chemiese vuurpyle. Derhalwe moet alternatiewe brandstof aandrywing metodes ondersoek word, om koste-effektiewe diep ruimte-eksplorasie moontlik te maak. Die hoë brandstof-doeltreffendheid van elektriese ontbranders stel ’n ruimtetuig in staat om verder, vinniger en goedkoper te reis as enige ander aandrywing tegnologie wat tans beskikbaar is. Dus het elektriese aandrywing metodes die aandrywings keuse vir wetenskaplikes en ingenieurs geword. ’n Tipies elektriese vuurpyl/aandrywer bevat ’n vorm van elektrode om die brandstof (argon gas) te ioniseer. Alhoewel hierdie elektrode proses van ionisasie effektief is vir kort ruimte missies, word dit onprakties vir meer ambisieuse ruimte missies as gevolg van verweering van elektrodes met verloop van tyd. ’n Alternatief is om die dryfmiddel/brandstof te ioniseer deur gebruik te maak van elektromagnetiese velde. Die elekromagnetiese velde sal die lewensduur van die vuurpyl vermeerder deur die verweering van elektrodes, wat geassosieer word met tipiese elektrieses vuurpyle, te elimineer. Hierdie tesis se doelwit is om die metode van mikrogolf ontslag ionisasie vir ’n elektriese vuurpyl/aandrywer te bestudeer om ten einde die lewensduur en doeltreffendheid van elektriese vuurpyl/aandrywer te ondersoek. Dit sluit in die ontwerp van ’n radio frekewensie ioon vuurpyl/aandrywer met ’n ontginning en versnelling matriks/rooster om stukrag te genereer. ’n 2,45 GHz magnetron (verkry vanaf ’n konvensionele mikrogolfoond), gekoppel aan ’n TM010 resonante holte, was gebruik om neutrale argon gas te ioniseer. Die proses van elektron siklotron resonansie (ESR) was gebruik om die doeltreffende ionisasie van ’n hoë digtheid plasma te verseker. Die aandrywing/stukrag was behaal met ’n drie-matriks-stelsel, bevoordeel deur hoë spannings om die positief-gelaaide argon ione te versnel. Resultate opgelewer, het die sukses van die ontwerp van ’n elektromagnetiese gebaseerde vuurpyl/aandrywer met ’n benaderde meting van ongeveer 1.78 mN van stukrag/aandrywing met ’n spesifieke impuls van Isp = 3786 sekondes bewys. Die ECR proses het ’n hoë plasma digtheid geproduseer met ’n plasma opname persentasie van ongeveer 77% van die totale inset mikrogolf energie. Die finale uitslae wat verkry was, het bevind dat die voorspelde resultate baie goed inpas met resultate in beskikbare literatuur. Dit dui op die doeltreffendheid van die RF ioon vuurpyl/aandrywer wat ontwerp is in hierdie projek vir die toekomstige gebruik in ruimte eksplorasie-aktiwiteite. Toekomstige navorsing moet op ’n beheerde terugvoer sisteem onderneem word, wat optimale werktoestande verseker vir maksimum prestasie. Daarbenewens moet die metode van matriks-lose versnelling bestudeer word, om maksimum versnelling/stukrag en spesifieke impuls te verseker.

Submitted by Simone Souza (simonecgsouza@hotmail.com) on 2017-11-09T15:52:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2014_Bruno Rodrigo Vasconcelos.pdf: 5036477 bytes, checksum: 20e651beee5cbd117234240287eef44f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jordan (jordanbiblio@gmail.com) on 2018-02-02T15:29:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2014_Bruno Rodrigo Vasconcelos.pdf: 5036477 bytes, checksum: 20e651beee5cbd117234240287eef44f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-02T15:29:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISS_2014_Bruno Rodrigo Vasconcelos.pdf: 5036477 bytes, checksum: 20e651beee5cbd117234240287eef44f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-10-28 / Vários modelos deformacionais foram propostos para o Cinturão Paraguai diferindo principalmente quanto ao número de fases de deformação, sentido da vergência e estilo tectônico. Feições estruturais apresentadas neste trabalho indicam tectônica dominada por escamas de baixo ângulo de mergulho na fase inicial, seguida por duas fases deformacionais progressivas. A primeira fase de deformação (F1) é caracterizada por clivagem ardosiana (S1), com recristalização de minerais da fácies xisto verde, plano axial de dobras isoclinais recumbentes (D1) de direção NE associadas a zonas de falhamento reverso subhorizontais com movimentação de topo para SE. A segunda fase deformacional (F2) mostra vergência para NW, caracterizada por clivagem de crenulação (S2) plano axial de dobras abertas (D2) do acamamento e foliação S1, localmente associada a falhas reversas. A terceira fase de deformação é caracterizada por falhas e fraturas sub-verticais com direção NW mostrando movimentação sinistral, comumente preenchidas por veios de quartzo. O acervo de estruturas tectônicas e paragênese metamórfica descrita indicam que a deformação mais intensa, em nível crustal mais profundo, alcançou a fácies xisto verde durante F1. Acomodando expressivo encurtamento crustal por meio de dobras recumbente e zonas de cisalhamento de baixo ângulo com movimentação de topo para SE, em regime tectônico do tipo pelicular delgado. A fase F2 teve deformação menos intensa e se comportou de maneira rúptil-dúctil, acomodando discreto encurtamento por meio de dobras normais abertas e falhas inversas subverticais desenvolvidas em nível crustal mais raso, com vergência em direção ao Cráton Amazônico. A terceira fase deformacional (F3) foi menos intensa e acomodou encurtamento na forma de fraturas e falhas sinistrais subverticais, comumente preenchidas por veios de quartzo. / Several deformation models have been proposed for the Paraguay Belt, differing mainly in the number of deformation phases, sense of vergence and tectonic style. Structural features presented in this work indicate tectonic dominated by an initial phase of low dipping thrust sheets, followed by two progressive deformation phases. The first deformation phase (F1) is characterized by a slaty cleavage (S1), axial plane of isoclinal recumbent folds (D1) in the NE direction, with recrystallization of minerals from the greenschist facies, related to horizontal shear zones with top-to-the-SE sense of movement. The second stage shows a NW-vergence, characterized by crenulation cleavage, S0 and S1 axial planes of open folds, locally associated with reverse faults. The third deformation phase is characterized by subvertical faults and fractures in the NW direction showing sinistral movement, commonly filled by quartz veins. The collection of tectonic structures and metamorphic paragenesis described indicate that the most intense deformation, at deeper crustal level, reached the greenschist facies during F1. Accommodating significant crustal shortening through isoclinal recumbent folds and low-angle shear zones showing top-to-the SE sense of movement during a thin-skinned tectonic regime. The phase F2 showed more subtle deformation, with more competent rock types developing brittle behavior and less competent rock types developing ductile behavior, by accommodating slight shortening through normal open folds and subvertical reverse faults nucleated in shallower crustal level with vergence towards the Amazonian Craton. The third phase was less intense and shortening is accommodated in the form of fractures and subvertical sinistral faults, commonly filled by quartz veins.

La sismicité présente le long du méga-chevauchement himalayen, dans la trace du fort séisme de 1505, des variations spatiales qui restaient peu résolues. Nous y avons déployé un réseau sismologique temporaire de 15 stations pour la période 2014-2016, en complément du réseau national. Nous avons effectué une détection automatique Seiscomp3 puis un pointé manuel des séismes enregistrés par le réseau, suivi par une localisation absolue Hypo71 et une relocalisation relative d’essaims HypoDD. Le catalogue résultant compte 2154 évènements dans notre zone d’étude dont les profondeurs (8-16 km) sont bien résolues. La confrontation de la sismicité avec des coupes géologiques équilibrées montre que les séismes se localisent dans le compartiment supérieur à proximité du grand chevauchement himalayen au voisinage de rampes ou contacts suspectés entre écailles de moyen pays. Les variations latérales de structures associées à cette sismicité sont susceptibles de contrôler pour partie les ruptures cosismiques de séismes intermédiaires, qui viennent rompre partiellement le chevauchement, comme l’ont démontré les études du séisme de Mw7.8 de Gorkha-Népal, 2015. La segmentation qui en résulte est une donnée importante dans les études d’aléa sismique. / The seismicity located along the Himalayan mega-thrust, within the trace of the great M8+ 1505AD earthquake, displays striking spatial variations which remained poorly resolved. In order to better constrain and understand these variations, we deployed a 15-stations temporary seismological network for 2 years (2014-2016) as a complement to the national network. We first processed the data with an automatic detection with Seiscomp3, then a manual picking of earthquakes recorded by the network, followed by a Hypo71 absolute localization and HypoDD relative relocation of clustered events. The resulting catalogue contains 2154 local events, shallow to midcrustal (8 - 16 km). The seismicity presented temporal variations suggesting fluid migrations. The confrontation between the seismicity and the geologic balanced cross-sections shows that most eartbquakes happen within the hangingwall of the Main Himalayan Thrust fault nearby ramps or suspected contacts between lesser Himalayan slivers. The lateral variations of some of the structures associated to this seismicity are likely to partially control the extent of the coseismic ruptures during intermediate earthquakes that break partly the locked fault zone, in a similar way as what was reported after the Mw7.8 2015 Gorkha-Nepal earthquake. Better characterizing the segmentation of such faults is an important input for seismic hazard studies.

La chaîne pyrénéenne présente des structures de déformation bien exposées et des roches sédimentaires syntectoniquesbien conservées qui en font un objet idéal pour étudier les failles. En effet, les textures, structures, compositions chimiques etisotopiques enregistrées par le coeur de la faille chevauchante peuvent renseigner sur les conditions et mécanismes de ladéformation et aussi contraindre dans le temps l’activité de la faille étudiée. Dans la présente thèse, trois chevauchements duversant sud Pyrénéen ont été étudiés pour mieux appréhender le comportement mécanique, chimique et isotopique desphyllosilicates dans des roches sédimentaires déformées. Ces roches sont d'âge éocène à triasique et sont impliquées dans degrand chevauchements (zone cisaillantes) à vergence sud. Ce travail combine observation pétrographique, analyse chimique,modélisation thermodynamique et technique de datation radiométrique 40Ar/39Ar sur des minéraux de moscovite/illite et dechlorite. La première faille étudiée est le chevauchement du Pic de Port Vieux (PPV), chevauchement de second ordre lié auchevauchement majeur de Gavarnie dans le sud-ouest de la Zone Axiale Pyrénéenne. Des mécanismes de pression-dissolutionet recristallisation, accompagnés d’interactions avec un fluide très réducteur sont les principaux paramètres responsables deschangements minéralogiques/chimiques observés dans la zone centrale de la faille. L'indice Kübler de la moscovite et lesdonnées thermométrique sur chlorite suggèrent des températures de 285°C ± 28°C pour l'activité de PPV. De plus, la datation40Ar/39Ar de la moscovite syn-cinématique indique que la faille a fonctionné il y a 36.9 ± 0.2 Ma, ce qui coïncide avec l’âge del'activité du chevauchement de Gavarnie. Les deux autres failles étudiées sont le chevauchement de Lakora qui est situé sur lebord sud de la zone Nord Pyrénéenne et celui de Monte Perdido (au niveau de Torla) situé dans la partie ouest de la zone Sud-Pyrénéenne. Ces deux chevauchements ont été affectés (déformés) par la mise en place de chevauchement de Gavarnie. Lesobservations pétrographiques et les analyses microstructurales ont démontré que la déformation est marquée par du plissement,du boudinage, par le développement d'une schistosité intense, de surfaces de cisaillement, de veines et par un enrichissement enphyllosilicates au coeur de la zone de faille des deux chevauchements. De manière similaire au chevauchement du Pic de PPV,les mécanismes de pression-dissolution et recristallisation sont les principaux mécanismes qui contrôlent la déformation et ilssont à l’origine de l'enrichissement en phyllosilicates néoformés dans les zones de failles des deux chevauchements. En se basantsur les mesures de l'indice de Kübler, il apparait que la déformation de Lakora et Torla s'est produite dans des conditions detempérature plus basse que celles enregistrées pour le chevauchement du PPV. Par ailleurs, es âges les plus jeunes obtenus parla technique 40Ar/39Ar ne peuvent être rattachés à l'âge de la déformation car ils sont plus vieux que les âges des sédimentsimpliqués dans les zones de faille. D'autres hypothèses sont proposées à la fin de cette thèse afin de comprendre les raisons decette incohérence dans les âges et afin de dater la déformation de Lakora et Torla. Ainsi l'ensemble des résultats de cette thèsemontrent que les minéraux phyllosilicatés peuvent être des outils thermochronologiques fiables permettant de dater avecprécision l'activité des failles lorsqu'ils ont été combinés avec des préparations d'échantillons précises et caractérisation détailléedes échantillons. / The Pyrenees belt features well-exposed deformation structures and well preserved syntectonic sedimentary rocksthat make it ideally suited to study thrust faults. The texture, structure and chemical-isotopic compositions of synkinematicphyllosilicates are widely used to estimate the deformation conditions-mechanisms and timing of fault activities. Therefore, inthe present thesis, three thrusts from the Pyrenean orogen have been studied to better understand the mechanical, chemical andisotopic behavior of phyllosilicates from deformed sediments of Eocene-Triassic age that have been involved in large southvergingshear zones. This work combined petrographic observation, chemical analyses, and thermodynamic modeling with40Ar/39Ar geochronology on muscovite/illite and chlorite. The first studied fault is the Pic de Port Vieux thrust (PPVT), a secondorderthrust related to the major Gavarnie thrust (GT) in the south-western part of the Pyrenees Axial Zone. The dissolutionrecrystallization,pressure solution mechanisms, and interaction with highly reductive fluids are the main parameters responsiblefor the mineralogical and chemical changes in the fault core zone. The Kübler index and chlorite thermometry suggest upperanchizoneto epizone conditions with a temperature of 285°C ± 28°C for the PPVT activity. Moreover, the 40Ar/39Ar step-heatingdating of synkinematic muscovite indicates that the fault activity occurred at 36.9 ± 0.2 Ma which coincides with the activity ofthe GT. The two other faults are: Lakora thrust that is located on the southern edge of the North Pyrenean Zone, and the MontePerdido thrust (Torla location) situated on the western part of the South Pyrenean Zone. The two thrust are affected (deformed)by the emplacement of the Gavarnie thrust. The petrographic-microstructural analyses on these faults demonstrated thatdeformation is marked by folding, boudinage, intense cleavage, shear surfaces/veins and enrichment of phyllosilicates in thefault zone of both thrusts. Similar to the PPVT, pressure-solution and dissolution-recrystallization mechanisms are the mainmechanisms that control deformation and enhanced the enrichment of the newly-formed phyllosilicates in the fault zones ofboth thrusts. Based on the Kübler index measurements, the deformation in the Lakora and Torla faults occurred at relativelylower temperature compared to the PPVT. The youngest total gas ages obtained by the 40Ar/39Ar technique are very old for theactivity time of both thrusts as they are older than the depositional ages of the sediments in the fault zones. Further investigationsare proposed at the end of this dissertation in order to better understand this anomaly in age and to successfully obtain the rightage of the two thrusts activity.Based on the results of this thesis, phyllosilicate minerals proved to be reliable thermochronological tools for fault activity atlow-grade metamorphism, when such tools are combined with careful sample preparations and detailed sample characterization.

No presente trabalho buscou-se compor um quadro geológico-estrutural da Faixa Paraguai meridional e compreender as relações estratigráficas entre os litotipos da Formação Puga e grupos Cuiabá e Corumbá. Foram realizados trabalhos de reconhecimento geológico e perfis geológico-estruturais de detalhe, com análise estrutural e petrográfica, em conjunto com a integração de dados e mapas existentes, análise de imagens de satélite, fotos aéreas e modelos digitais de terreno. A Faixa Paraguai meridional evoluiu como um típico fold-andthrust belt. A evolução geológica do cinturão principia por processos de rifteamento, provavelmente no final do Criogeniano, evoluindo para mar restrito e margem passiva até o final do Ediacarano. A fase rifte é caracterizada pelas formações Puga e Cerradinho. A fase margem passiva está representada pelas formações Bocaina, Tamengo e Guaicurus. Propõe-se que o Grupo Cuiabá na área estudada seja constituído por depósitos marinhos profundos, turbidíticos distais depositados comitantemente aos sedimentos do Grupo Corumbá. O processo colisional responsável pela inversão da bacia com a deformação e metamorfismo associados ocorreu durante o Cambriano, com magmatismo pós-colisional no Cambriano Superior. O estilo estrutural torna-se progressivamente mais complexo de oeste para leste. São observadas até três fases de dobramento coaxiais sobrepostas com eixos subhorizontais de direção N-S. Associam-se a sistemas de falhas de empurrão com deslocamento da capa para oeste. As lineações de estiramento e indicadores cinemáticos observados sugerem que a convergência colisional em direção ao bloco Rio Apa que deu origem à faixa móvel não foi completamente frontal, existindo algum grau de obliquidade, com vetores de convergência em torno de WNWENE. Os micaxistos do Grupo Cuiabá mostram o estilo estrutural mais complexo, com três fases de dobramentos coaxiais e foliações tectônicas mais intensas. Haveria correlação temporal entre S3 gerada nos micaxistos, comumente referidos como Grupo Cuiabá, a leste com a foliação S2 gerada na porção central e a clivagem S1 gerada no limite da área cratônica a oeste, padrão que pode ser explicado pela migração do front deformacional de leste para oeste. É sugestivo que as principais falhas de empurrão coincidam com limites bacinais importantes, onde ocorrem variações de espessura e representatividades das formações basais. No processo de inversão da bacia provavelmente os empurrões reativaram as antigas falhas lístricas principais do estágio rifte. / This work aims to characterize the geological and structural context of the Southern Paraguay Folded Belt, and to understand the stratigraphic relationships between the Puga Formation, Corumbá and Cuiabá groups. Regional geological reconnaissance work and detailed geological-structural field sections were carried out, with petrographic and structural analysis, together with integration of existing data and maps and analysis of satellite images, aerial photos and digital terrain models. The southern Paraguay Belt is a typical fold-andthrust belt. Its geological evolution began with rifting (Puga and Cerradinho formations), probably at the end of Criogenian, and evolved to restricted sea and passive margin (Bocaina, Tamengo and Guaicurus formations) in the late Ediacaran. It is proposed that the Cuiabá Group in the study area consists of distal marine deposits coeval with the Corumbá Group. The collisional process responsible for basin inversion and associated deformation and metamorphism occurred in the Cambrian, with post-collisional magmatism in the Upper Cambrian. The structural style becomes increasingly complex from west to east. Up to three overprinted coaxial folding phases are observed with north / south upright axial planes dipping to east and axes plunging gently to North or South. A system of thrust faults is associated with displacement of the hangwall to the west. Down-dip to oblique and strike-slip stretching lineations are also observed, with kinematic indicators showing movement varying from inverse to sinistral. This suggests that the collisional convergence toward the Rio Apa block which generated the mobile belt was not strictly frontal, but had some degree of obliquity, with convergence vectors around SSW - ENE. The Cuiabá Group mica-schists show the most complex structural style with three superimposed coaxial fold phases and more intense tectonic foliations. It is proposed that there would be time correlation between the S3 foliation in the mica-schists in the easternmost area, with the S2 foliation in the central area and the S1 cleavage at the limit of the cratonic area to the west. This pattern can be explained by the westward migration of the deformational front. It is suggestive that the main thrusts coincide with major basin boundaries, where greater variations in thickness and expression of the basal formations occur. During the basin inversion the thrusts probably reactivated the former main listric faults of the rift stage.

La texturation de surface est une thématique récente qui suscite un certain engouement pour les contacts dynamiques. Pendant de nombreuses années, les tribologues ont privilégié les surfaces lisses aux faibles rugosités pour limiter le frottement. Inspiré des rugosités de surface organisées observées dans la nature, les topologies de surfaces sont désormais axées sur la texturation et la structuration des rugosités. Fort de ce potentiel, de nombreuses études traitent, par une approche numérique, la modélisation de ces surfaces et les études expérimentales sont rares, avec une instrumentation souvent insuffisante pour appréhender tous les phénomènes physiques. Par une approche expérimentale, nous analysons le comportement des butées hydrodynamiques à faces parallèles partiellement texturées. Les 80 capteurs équipant le dispositif d'essais permettent d'apprécier avec rigueur la phénoménologie à l'interface du patin et du film lubrifiant. L'analyse met l'accent sur la capabilité de ce composant à être intégré dans un environnement industriel. Afin d'objectiver les résultats, les campagnes d'essais sont menées sur dix butées hydrodynamiques dont quatre sont munies de texturation. Une comparaison de ces butées facilite leur classement en termes de capacité de charge, de réduction de frottement ou encore de risque d'usure dans les phases de démarrage. Pour les configurations étudiées, les butées texturées ne peuvent concurrencer les butées à poches ou à plans inclinés du point de vue de la capacité de charge. En se référant à une butée à faces parallèles, les butées texturées permettent une réduction du frottement de 30% à faibles charges tandis que pour de fortes charges, les / Surface texturing is a recent topic which has raised a great interest in contact dynamics. For many years, engineers have favored smooth surfaces with low roughness in order to minimize friction losses. Inspired by textured surfaces which can be commonly found in nature, the research in surface topography is now focused on texturing and roughness characterization. Considering the great potential of surface texturing, many research studies analyze this subject, most commonly theoretically, while experimental works are often performed with inadequate equipment which does not allow a proper evaluation of the involved physical phenomena. This study uses an experimental approach in order to analyze the behavior of hydrodynamic thrust bearings with parallel textured pads. The experimental device is equipped with 80 sensors which allow a proper assessment of the phenomenology at the film/pad interface. This analysis focuses on the capability of this textured component to be integrated in an industrial environment. To objectify the results, the tests are conducted on ten hydrodynamic thrust bearings, among which four are textured. The comparison between the performances of these bearings facilitates their classification in terms of load-carrying capacity, friction loss and wears resistance during the start-up period. Results show that for the studied configurations, the textured thrust bearings cannot compete with pocketed or tapered land thrust bearings in terms of load-carrying capacity. In the case of parallel thrust bearings, surface texturing can help to reduce friction up to 30% at low loads while for heavy loads, their performance is equivalent or even lower than that of

Les problèmes vibratoires sont l'une des principales causes des maintenances effectuées sur les turbines de barrages hydroélectrique en France. Dans cette thèse CIFRE, subventionnée par la Division Technique Générale d’Électricité de France à Grenoble, nous voulons étudier numériquement les phénomènes physiques en jeu.Pour cela, chaque partie composant ce type de machine tournante est modélisée : la ligne d'arbre, les accouplements rigides, les paliers hydrodynamiques, la butée hydrodynamique à patins oscillants, les étanchéités et les efforts électromagnétiques. Celui du rotor est basé sur une approche classique 1D, prenant en compte des défauts d'accouplement rigide. Les paliers hydrodynamiques peuvent être alimentés par des rainures hélicoïdales : ceci est pris en compte dans la modélisation des paliers via un changement de variable dans l'équation de Reynolds. Concernant la butée hydrodynamique à patins oscillants, l'équation de Reynolds est explicitée en fonction des paramètres du système (rotor et patins). Un cas test est également présenté afin d'évaluer les différentes approches possibles pour l'intégration dans la modélisation du rotor et pour mieux appréhender la réponse dynamique d'une butée. Les joints d'étanchéités sont modélisés en linéarisant les efforts hydrauliques gouvernés par les équations du "bulk-flow" et sont donc représentés par des coefficients dynamiques de masse, d'amortissement et de raideur. Les efforts électromagnétiques au niveau de l'alternateur sont pris en compte via une formulation analytique des forces d'attraction sur chaque paire de pôles. Cela permet de gérer, par exemple, des défauts d'ovalisation ou de positionnement du stator.Une seconde partie est consacrée à l'étude d'une turbine complète. Y sont présentées différentes études de sensibilités des défauts les plus courants sur ce type de machine, le but étant d'en connaître l'influence sur le comportement dynamique de l'ensemble du rotor. / Vibration problems are one of the main causes leading to maintenances performed on the turbines of hydroelectric power generation systems in France. In this CIFRE dissertation, financed by Division Technique Générale d'Électricité de France in Grenoble, we shall numerically study the physical phenomena involved in turbine vibrations of this kind.Hence, each component of this type of rotating machinery is modeled: the rotor, the rigid coupling, the hydrodynamic bearings, the hydrodynamic tilting pad thrust bearing, the annular seals and the electromagnetic forces. The model of the rotor is based on classical 1D approach taking into account the defects of the rigid coupling. The hydrodynamic bearings can be fed by helicoidally grooves. This feature is taken into account in the numerical model of journal bearing by applying a variable transformation to the Reynolds equation. For the tilting pad thrust bearing, the Reynolds equation takes into account the displacements and the velocities of both the pads and the rotor. A test case is presented for evaluating the different numerical approaches of the tilting pad thrust bearing that can be integrated in a rotordynamic analysis. The annular seals are modeled by using linearized hydraulic efforts (i.e. stiffness, damping and added mass dynamic coefficients) modeled by the "bulk flow" system of equations. The electromagnetic efforts in the alternator are taken into account by using an analytic model of the forces of each pair of poles. This enables to tackle ovalisation or eccentricity defects of the stator.A second part is dedicated to the numerical study of a complete turbine. Different studies dealing with sensitivity analyses of most often-encountered defects of this type of rotating machinery are presented, the goal being to underline their influence on the dynamic behavior of the whole rotor.