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The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will be the first gravitational wave detector in space. The European Space Agency has selected LISA as a large mission scheduled to launch in the mid-2030s. The sensitivity of LISA to gravitational waves is limited at low frequencies by force disturbances acting on the otherwise free-falling test masses. Among the stray forces relevant to the LISA noise budget, we find the ones that arise from the electrostatic interaction between the test masses and the surrounding capacitive sensor. Most of such electrostatic forces scale with the electric charge deposited on the test masses. This problem is aggravated by the fact that isolated objects in space, such as the floating LISA test masses, accumulate electric charge due to the constant bombardment of cosmic rays and solar energetic particles. We, therefore, understand that if the test masses were not discharged, the electrostatic disturbances could spoil the performance of the whole mission at low frequency. The precursor LISA Pathfinder (LPF) mission proved that the test mass charge could be successfully managed with a contactless system based on photoelectric charge transfer. The light sources required for photoemission in LISA Pathfinder were mercury-vapor lamps emitting photons in the UV range. In this thesis, we will present our on-ground testing campaign of a prototype Charge Management System for LISA, which relies on UV-LEDs as light sources. LEDs, compared to mercury-vapor lamps, can emit short pulses of UV light (~10 ns), which can be synchronized with the time-varying electrostatic fields around the test mass. For this reason, we studied new discharge strategies made possible by adopting UV-LEDs characterized by pulsed illumination synced with the capacitive sensing injection bias. Our measurements indicate that UV-LEDs offer significant advantages regarding the flexibility and robustness of the Charge Management System. Moreover, the new illumination patterns offered by UV-LEDs allow fine-tuning the TM equilibrium potential without introducing local DC fields, easing the implementation of the continuous discharge mode to manage the TM potential. Finally, we investigated the charge noise introduced by the continuous discharge mode and verified that it could be kept within the LISA requirements. We will present hereafter the outline of the thesis. In the first chapter, we present a mandatory introduction to gravitational waves and the LISA mission. In the second chapter, we present the instrument used for our experimental campaign, namely the four-test-masses torsion pendulum at the University of Trento. We also present the electrostatic model and the measurement techniques used to evaluate the electric charge on the pendulum test mass. In the third chapter, we introduce the concept of apparent yield, which is a figure of merit of the charge management system performance. We also present our experimental measurement, which encompasses tests on several UV-LEDs in different illumination patterns. In the fourth chapter, we derive a simple photoemission model, which is useful for interpreting the apparent yield data acquired. We will also use the model to fit the experimental data and extract estimates of the microscopic parameters that affect the photoemission from metallic surfaces, e.g. work function or quantum yield. In the fifth chapter, we present a model and our torsion pendulum measurements for the charge noise induced on the test masses when continuously illuminated with UV light. Such noise arises from the discrete and intrinsically stochastic nature of photoelectric charge transfer. Finally, in the last chapter, we will wrap up by presenting the problems encountered and the "lessons learned" during the years-long experimental endeavor.

Eight reinforced concrete beams with two different concrete strengths and four different schemes of reinforcing were tested to failure in pure torsion. SR⁻⁴ strain gages were used to measure the concrete strains at the surface of the test beams. A review of analytical and experimental studies in the literature is presented and briefly discussed. The test results were then compared with the theoretical predictions developed by Cowan, Ernst and Gesund. In general the failure surface of the test beams agreed with those previously predicted. The test ultimate torque varied considerably from the predicted ultimate torque of Cowan and Gesund. Ernst’s basic equation was modified to compensate for less than the minimum longitudinal reinforcement in four of the beams. With this modification Ernst’s theoretical predictions were very close to the test results. A study of the test results also shows that one of the presented theories is valid for one particular case, but that none of the theories is valid for every case. Consequently, there is a need for further research in this subject in order to develop a more exact theory for use in design. / Master of Science

A theoretical technique is presented for computing the stress distribution, the torque-rotation relation, and the torsional capacity for prismatic beams with arbitrary cross-sections subjected to pure torsional loading. The technique may be applied to any beam with isotropic, homogeneous, linear or non-linear elastic properties and a known shearing stress–shearing strain relation. The theoretical analysis is substantiated with experimental data obtained from pure torsion tests on five unreinforced plaster model beams: three circular, one rectangular, and one T-shaped in cross-section. Results are also presented on a second series of twenty-nine qualitative tests made on plaster model T-beams reinforced with small gage wire to determine the crack pattern and failure mechanisms. / Ph. D.

A novel torsion pendulum thrust test stand for micro-Newton-scale spacecraft thrusters is described. The stand is designed to be robust against electromagnetic interference effects internal or external to the thruster being tested. The design and testing of a gas-dynamic calibration thruster is included. This thruster is fully self-contained on the pendulum arm, with no external wires or feedlines connected to the device and impacting the dynamic response of the underlying pendulum. Initial calibration results are shown. Zero drift and hysteresis are present in the results, evidenced by a constant steady-state displacement drift and a return to a different displacement after shutdown of the calibration thruster. Results are compared to theoretical solutions of the equation of motion. An external forcing function of facility effects is described for discrepancies between results and the theoretical solution. Further work to eliminate these effects and add damping are proposed. / MS / Many recently proposed space missions require very fine vehicle attitude and position control in support of their science objectives. Thrusters with the ability to provide this control are currently in development, from laboratory proofs of concept to initial test flights on pathfinding missions. The low levels of thrust produced by these devices, in the range of less than the weight of a mosquito, require specialized test stands with very fine resolution. This thesis describes a novel torsion pendulum design for measuring these thrusters as well as initial validation results from its calibration system using rarefied gas flow. This calibration device is fully-contained on the device’s arm, removing many common sources of compensation factors which are often needed for other test stand designs. A custom-built displacement measuring system for determining angular motion of the pendulum arm is described which allows for measuring angular displacements of the arm to the level of arcseconds and potentially fractions thereof. Initial results suggest measurement of the expected levels of thrust, while some work remains to remove lingering sources of error and achieve more precise thrust data.

Objective- To compare the biomechanical properties of 3.5 locking compression plate (LCP) fixation to 3.5 limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) fixation in a canine cadaveric, distal humeral metaphyseal gap model in static axial compression and cyclic axial compression and torsion. Study Design- Biomechanical in vitro study. Sample Population- 30 paired humeri from adult, medium to large breed dogs. Methods- Testing was performed monotonically to failure in axial compression on ten pairs of humeri, cyclically in axial compression for 10,000 cycles on ten pairs and cyclically in torsion for 500 cycles on the last ten pairs. Results- Humeral constructs stabilized with LCPs were significantly stiffer than those plated with LC-DCPs when loaded in axial compression (P=0.0004). When cyclically loaded in axial compression over 10,000 cycles, the LC-DCP constructs were significantly stiffer than those constructs stabilized with LCPs (P=0.0029). Constructs plated with LC-DCPs were significantly more resistant to torsion over 500 cycles than those plated with LCPs (P<0.0001), though no difference was detected during the first 280 cycles. Conclusions- The increased stiffness of LCP constructs in monotonic loading compared to constructs stabilized with non-locking plates may be attributed to the stability afforded by the plate-screw interface of locking plates. The LCP constructs demonstrated less stiffness in dynamic testing in this model, likely due to plate-bone offset secondary to non-anatomic contouring and occasional incomplete seating of the locking screws when using the torque-limiting screw driver. Clinical Relevance- LCPs yield less stiff fixation under dynamic loading than conventional LC-DCPs when applied to severely comminuted, metaphyseal fractures. Improving anatomical contouring of the plate and insuring complete screw insertion into the locking plate hole may improve stiffness when using LCPs in comminuted fractures. / Master of Science

Il a été démontré que la torsion des têtes métatarsiennes est influencée par le mode de locomotion chez les primates et peut être utilisée pour déterminer la présence ou non d’une arche longitudinale chez les ancêtres hominines. Chez l’humain moderne, l’arche longitudinale rend le pied plus inversé que chez les grands singes, provoquant un léger basculement de l’axe dorsoplantaire de l’articulation proximale des métatarses. Ainsi, les têtes métatarsiennes subissent une torsion par rapport à l’axe de la diaphyse pour que leur surface plantaire reste parallèle au sol. Comme les femmes ont une arche longitudinale plus haute que les hommes et comme le port du soulier à semelles rigides provoque des changements morphologiques au niveau du pied, rendant l’arche longitudinale plus haute et l’hallux moins divergeant, il est attendu que la torsion métatarsienne soit différente selon le sexe et le type de soulier porté. Ce mémoire examine donc l’effet du contexte environnemental du pied et de la plasticité de la torsion des têtes métatarsiennes en comparant différentes populations humaines. L’échantillon disponible pour cette étude est constitué de 166 individus provenant de 18 sites archéologiques différents comprenant 57 hommes, 35 femmes et 74 individus de sexe indéterminé qui ont été divisés en quatre grands groupes : Amérindiens, Inuits, Militaires et Euro-canadiens. Il n’y a aucune différence de torsion entre les hommes et les femmes, ce qui suggère que la différence de hauteur de l’arche longitudinale entre les hommes et les femmes n’est pas assez importante pour être perçues au niveau de la torsion des têtes métatarsiennes. La topographie ne semble pas provoquer assez de modifications au niveau du pied pour provoquer une torsion différentielle des têtes métatarsiennes. Cependant, la surface du sol, plat ou accidenté, pourrait être un facteur modifiant ce trait. Finalement, le port de souliers constrictif à semelles dures comparativement aux souliers souples, tels les mocassins, provoque une torsion différentielle des têtes métatarsiennes. Les individus chaussant des souliers à semelles souples ont un premier métatarsien présentant une plus grande éversion et un troisième, quatrième et cinquième métatarsien présentant une plus petite éversion comparativement aux individus chaussant des souliers constrictifs. Ces résultats viennent appuyer l’hypothèse de la capacité plastique de la torsion des têtes métatarsiennes. / It has been shown that the metatarsals head torsion can be influenced by the mode of locomotion in primates and can be used to determine the presence or absence of a longitudinal arch in hominin ancestors. In modern humans, the longitudinal arch results in a foot more inverted than in apes, causing a slight tilting of the dorsoplantary axis of the metatarsals proximal joints. Thus, the metatarsal heads undergo torsion relative to the axis of the shaft so their plantar surface lie parallel to the ground. Since women have a higher longitudinal arch than men and since wearing hard sole shoes causes morphological changes in the foot, making the longitudinal arch higher and the hallux less abducted, it is expected that torsion will be different according to sex and type of shoes worn. By comparing different human populations, this paper examines whether metatarsal torsion is a plastic trait that can be influenced by the loading environment. The sample available for this study, consists of 166 individuals from 18 different archaeological sites including 57 men, 35 women and 74 of indetermined sex that were divided into four groups: Amerinds, Inuits, Military and Euro-canadian. There is no significant difference in torsion between men and women, suggesting that the slight difference in longitudinal arch height between men and women is not sufficient to be perceived in metatarsal variation torsion. The topography of the land does not seem to cause significant changes in the foot such as torsion. However, the surface of the ground, flat or irregular, could be a factor modifying torsion. Finally, wearing constrictive shoes with hard soles compared to flexible shoes, such as moccasins, increased variation in torsion angles. Individuals known to wear moccasins present more eversion of the first metatarsal and less eversion of the third, fourth and fifth metatarsals compared to individuals who used to wear constrictive footwear. These results support the hypothesis that metatarsal torsion is a relatively plastic feature.

Les structures de type gridshell élastique permettent de réaliser des enveloppes courbes par la déformation réversible d’une grille structurelle régulière initialement plane. Cette capacité à “former la forme” de façon efficiente prend tout son sens dans le contexte actuel où, d’une part la forme s’impose comme une composante prédominante de l’architecture moderne, et d’autre partl’enveloppe s’affirme comme le lieu névralgique de la performance des bâtiments. Fruit des recherches de l’architecte et ingénieur allemand Frei Otto dans les années 1960, elles ont été rendues populaires par la construction de la Multihalle de Mannheim en 1975. Cependant, en dépit de leur potentiel, très peu de projets de ce type ont vu le jour suite à cette réalisation emblématique qui en a pourtant démontré la faisabilité à grande échelle. Et pour cause, les moyens engagés à l’époque ne sauraient assurer la reproductibilité de cette expérience dans un contexte plus classique de projet, notamment sur le plan économique. Par ailleurs, les techniques et les méthodes développées alors sont pour la plus part tombées en désuétude ou reposent sur des disciplines scientifiques qui ont considérablement évoluées. Des matériaux nouveaux, composites, ont vu le jour. Ils repoussent les limitations intrinsèques des matériaux usuels tel que le bois et offrent des performances techniques bien plus intéressantes pour ce type d’application. Enfin, notons que le cadre réglementaire a lui aussi profondément muté, apportant une certaine rigidité vis-à-vis de la pénétration des innovations. Ainsi la conception des gridshells se pose-t-elle en des termes nouveaux aux architectes et ingénieurs actuels et se heurte à l’inadéquation des outils et méthodes existant. Dans cette thèse, qui marque une étape importante dans une aventure de recherche personnelle initiée en 2010, nous tentons d’embrasser la question de la conception des gridshells élastiques dans toute sa complexité, en abordant aussi bien les aspects théoriques que techniques et constructifs. Dans une première partie, nous livrons une revue approfondie de cette thématique et nous présentons de façon détaillée l’une de nos principales réalisation, la cathédrale éphémère de Créteil, construite en 2013 et toujours en service. Dans une seconde partie, nous développons un élément de poutre discret original avec un nombre minimal de degrés de liberté adapté à la modélisation de la flexion et de la torsion dans les gridshells constitués de poutres de section anisotrope. Enrichi d’un noeud fantôme, il permet de modéliser plus finement les phénomènes physiques au niveau des connexions et des appuis. Son implémentation numérique est présentée et validée sur quelques cas tests. Bien que cet élément ait été développé spécifiquement pour l’étude des gridshells élastiques, il pourra avantageusement être utilisé dans tout type de problème où la nécessité d’un calcul interactif avec des tiges élastiques prenant en compte les couplages flexion-torsion s’avère nécessaire / An elastic gridshell is a freeform structure, generally doubly curved, but formed out through the reversible deformation of a regular an initially flat structural grid. Building curved shapes that way seems to offer the best of both worlds : shell structures are amongst the most performant mechanically speaking while planar and orthogonal constructions are much more efficient and economic to produce than curved ones. This ability to “form a form” efficiently is of peculiar importance in the current context where morphology is a predominant component of modern architecture, and envelopes appear to be the neuralgic point for building performances. The concept was invented by Frei Otto, a German architect and structural engineer who devoted many years of research to gridshells. In 1975 he designed the Multihalle of Mannheim, a 7500 m2 wooden shell which demonstrated the feasibility of this technology and made it famous to a wide audience. However, despite their potential, very few projects of this kind were built after this major realization. And for good reason, the ressources committed at that time cannot guarantee the replicability of this experiment for more standard projects, especially on the economic level. Moreover, the technics and methods developed by Otto’s team in the 1960s have mostly fall into disuse or are based on disciplines that have considerably evolved. New materials, such as composite materials, have recently emerged. They go beyond the limitations of conventional materials such as timber and offer at all levels much better technical performances for this kind of application. Finally, it should be noted that the regulatory framework has also deeply changed, bringing a certain rigidity to the penetration of innovations in the building industry. Therefore, the design of gridshells arises in new terms for current architects and engineers and comes up against the inadequacy of existing tools and methods. In this thesis, which marks an important step in a personal research adventure initiated in 2010, we try to embrace the issue of the design of elastic gridshells in all its complexity, addressing both theoretical, technical and constructive aspects. In a first part, we deliver a thorough review of this topic and we present in detail one of our main achievements, the ephemeral cathedral of Créteil, built in 2013 and still in service. In a second part, we develop an original discrete beam element with a minimal number of degrees of freedom adapted to the modeling of bending and torsion inside gridshell members with anisotropic cross-section. Enriched with a ghost node, it allows to model more accurately physical phenomena that occur at connections or at supports. Its numerical implementation is presented and validated through several test cases. Although this element has been developed specifically for the study of elastic gridshells, it can advantageously be used in any type of problem where the need for an interactive computation with elastic rods taking into account flexion-torsion couplings is required