In this project the objective is to understand how to design a braiding machine capable of automated production of Omnifibre in a research environment. Automated production of Omnifibre is the key issue for the researchers as they want to increase the weaveabilty of the fibers and make it more suitable for use in active textiles. To achieve the necessary knowledge when designing a braiding machine, an extensive literature study was performed which focused on braids, braiding machines, and CNC manufacturing. An Interview with a researcher and with a manufacturing expert was conducted. Simulations of different braiding machine configurations were performed in TexMind braiding machine configurator. Solidworks was used to estimate the size of the braiding machine. A large amount of the machine’s parts were manufactured on a CNC mill and lathe to test manufacturability and to aid in designing optimal subsystems. The result is a proposed design for a braiding machine in the form of a 3-D model and a partially completed prototype used for testing and design evaluation. The conclusion is that Omnifibre is much like other ultra-fine braided threads, and the research on its applicability has a big impact on the braiding machine’s design, especially on flexibility in thread material and braiding patterns.

Various nitrides, such as chromium nitride and titanium nitride, find extensive use in cutting tools, micromechanical devices, and medical implants due to their exceptional physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. These coatings exhibit superior hardness compared to high-speed steel and cemented carbide along with notable protective capabilities against corrosion and wear. These coatings have been successfully used to enhance the properties of cemented carbide and steel tools while safeguarding their surfaces. By adjusting deposition parameters like N2 gas pressure, the properties of PVD coatings can be tailored to effectively withstand specific dominant wear modes during machining. The study investigates and demonstrates that CrN coatings can be specifically engineered to have distinct mechanical and tribological properties by adjusting the N2 gas pressure, which enhances machining performance in cases where BUE formation occurs. A comprehensive coating characterization was conducted for each CrN coating studied. Wear performance assessments of the various CrN-coated WC tools were carried out during dry finish turning of SS 304. Additionally, high temperature coating characterization was performed for the best-performing in house deposited coating (nitrogen gas pressure of 4 Pa, bias voltage of -50 V) and a commercial coating, up to 450°C. The results highlighted the influence of N2 gas pressure on the structural, mechanical, and tribological properties of CrN coatings. The findings indicate that coatings with a comparatively low H/E ratio (while maintaining higher elastic modulus values), low roughness, moderate residual stress, high plasticity index, and high toughness exhibited superior performance when machining sticky materials and in high-temperature applications prone to adhesive wear and built-up edge (BUE) formation. Furthermore, high-temperature studies confirmed that the in-house coating retained a low H/E ratio, high plasticity index, high toughness, and low roughness, without compromising the hardness or elastic modulus values. In contrast, the commercial coating failed to retain its properties at higher temperatures. These high-temperature studies provide valuable insights for selecting CrN coatings tailored for machining materials that tend to adhere to the cutting tool and for high-temperature applications. / Dissertation / Master of Applied Science (MASc) / Coating properties such as hardness, residual stress, adhesive behaviour, elastic modulus, and roughness significantly affect tool performance and wear patterns, besides machining parameters and conditions. This research focuses on CrN coatings deposited by PVD cathodic arc deposition, adjusting the N2 gas pressure while keeping bias voltage constant. The research investigates and illustrates that CrN coatings can be specifically tailored (by adjusting the N2 gas pressure) to possess unique mechanical, and tribological properties that ameliorate machining performance in scenarios involving BUE formation. Three CrN coatings were deposited using the PVD technique by varying the N2 gas pressure. A thorough coating characterization was conducted for each of three in house deposited coatings and one commercially available coating. The wear behaviour of different CrN-coated WC tools was evaluated during dry finish turning of SS 304 to identify the best-performing coating. Lastly, high-temperature coating characterization was performed up to 450 ˚C for one in-house deposited coating (nitrogen gas pressure of 4 Pa, bias voltage of -50 V) and one commercial coating. The results showed that a coating that has low H/E ratio (without compromising elastic modulus), high plasticity index, high toughness, moderate residual stress and low roughness effectively minimizes issues related to sticking and BUE formation and retains coating properties at high temperatures.

Detonation-based propulsion systems are known for their high efficiency and energy release when compared to deflagrative systems, making them an ideal candidate in hypersonic propulsion applications. One such engine is the Oblique Detonation Wave (ODW) engine, which has a similar architecture to traditional scramjets but shortens the combustor and isolator to an anchored ODW after fuel injection. Previous research has focused on using a two-dimensional wedge to induce an ODW while limiting total losses through the combustor. In this configuration, a two-dimensional wedge-based architecture entails a rectangular duct, limiting potential inlet design and increasing overall skin friction. However, an inward-turning axisymmetric ODW wedge architecture, where a two-dimensional wedge is revolved around a central axis, has yet to be examined in detail. The work at present aims to investigate the fundamental physics required to predict the Oblique Shock Wave (OSW) for an inward-turning axisymmetric flow, which is critical for designing a circular ODW engine combustor. Multiple steady simulations of inviscid and ideal air at Mach 4, 6, and 8 were performed over a 1-inch wedge with wedge angles of 16°, 18°, and 20°. The radius of the inlet boundary was also varied between 1, 3, and 5 inches to examine the effect of increasing the blockage ratio. The results showed that the shock angle for an inward-turning axisymmetric flow was up to 8% steeper than the analytical, two-dimensional wedge solution. Additionally, it was found that the OSW diverged further from the two-dimensional solution when the blockage ratio was increased. These findings provide insight into the flow physics that must be considered when designing inward-turning axisymmetric ODW engines.

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The diploma thesis deals with the turning technique of cars and common drivers. The thesis examines the behavior of vehicles and drivers when cornering, forward and reverse driving. The aim of the thesis is to analyze the technique of turning vehicles and common drivers and apply the acquired data to simulation programs for road accident analysis. The individual aims of the thesis are theoretical description of the given problem and experimental verification of the parameters of radii, angles and time course of turning of different vehicles and common drivers in forward and reverse driving under comparable conditions and to describe mutual relations.

Turning while walking is a crucial component of locomotion; yet, little is known about how the biomechanics of turning gait differ from those of straight walking. Moreover, it is unclear how populations with restricted gait ability, such as children with cerebral palsy (CP) adapt to turning, compared to their typically developing (TD) peers. Thus, the aims of this thesis were to quantify the biomechanical differences between turning gait and straight walking in TD children and to explore if further, pathology specific, changes present during turning in children with CP. Biomechanical data, including three-dimensional body motion, ground reaction forces, and muscle activity from both groups were collected during straight walking and 90 degree turning gait using motion capture technology. Experimental data were used to compute joint kinematics (angles) and joint kinetics (moments and power) as well as more novel measures to quantify turning fluency and dynamic stability. These data were also used to derive walking simulations using a musculo-skeletal model of the human body in order to quantify muscle contributions to medio-lateral center of mass (COM) acceleration. The results show that both groups preferred to redirect their body during turning about the inside, rather than the outside, limb (with respect to the turn center). For TD children, substantial biomechanical adaptations occurred during turning, compared to straight walking. Furthermore, turning gait simulations reveal that proximal (hip abductors) and distal (ankle plantarflexors) leg muscles were mainly responsible for the redirection of the COM towards the new walking direction during turning. For children with CP, the results suggest that turning gait may be better able to reveal gait abnormalities than straight walking for a number of kinematic and kinetic gait variables. Potentially, analysis of turning gait could improve the identification and management of gait abnormalities in children with CP.

Cette thèse étudie les cycles économiques provinciaux chinois durant la période 1989-2009. Dans un premier temps, Nous utilisons une variété de techniques afin d'examiner la nature et le degré de comouvement entre les cycles de croissance provinciaux chinois. Nous détectons différentes propriétés des cycles de croissance provinciaux. En utilisant une méthodologie de classification basée sur un modèle, nous constatons que les provinces peuvent être classées parmi cinq classes en fonction des mesures standards des caractéristiques cycliques. Bien que la majorité des provinces a connu la récession qui a eu lieu autour de la crise asiatique, la nation dans son ensemble a connu une phase d'expansion. En outre, toutes les provinces, ont connu la récession liée à la crise financière internationale qui a eu lieu en 2007/2008 à l'exception du Jiangsu et Tianjin. Toutes les provinces côtières, sauf Hainan, sont significativement synchronisées avec le cycle national. En outre, nous constatons que les quatre principales récessions nationales sont bien diffusées dans tout le pays. Ensuite, nous analysons la co-cyclicité entre les provinces dans chacune des six régions définies par Groenewold et al. (2008). Nous nous basons sur la décomposition tendance-cycle en utilisant le modèle à composantes inobservables univarié et multivarié. Nous trouvons que La majorité des cycles provinciaux reflètent des chocs de la demande plutôt que des chocs de l'offre. En examinant si des cycles communs existent au sein de chaque région, nous pouvons formuler des conclusions sur la pertinence de la définition de ces régions. / This thesis deals with the Chinese provincial growth cycles over the period 1989-2009. First, we use a variety of techniques to examine the nature and degree of comovement among Chinese provincial growth cycles. We detect different properties of the provincial growth cycles. Using a model-based clustering methodology, we find that provinces can be classified among five major clusters as a function of standard measures of cyclical characteristics. Although the majority of provinces experienced the recession that occurred around the Asian crisis, the nation as whole experienced an expansionary phase. Moreover, all the provinces experienced the recession related to the subprime crisis that occurred in 2007/2008 except Jiangsu and Tianjing. However, All coastal provinces except Hainan are significantly synchronized with the national cycle. Furthermore, we find that the main four national recessions are well diffused across the country. Then, we analyse the co-cyclicality between provinces in each of the six regions defined by Groenewold et al. (2008). We rely on trend-cycle decomposition by using both univariate and multivariate unobserved component model. The majority of provincial cycles reflect demand rather than supply-side shocks. By examining the commonality of provincial growth cycles within each region, we ask whether the definition of these regions is supported by statistical analysis. We find mixed results. Finally, we use a Markov switching model that allow for the identification of business/seasonal cycle interaction.

L’impact de la perte racinaire sur l’ancrage d’Eugenia grandis Wight et de Pinus pinaster Ait ainsi que la capacité de trois différentes espèces d’arbres (Fagus sylvatica L, Abies alba Mill et Picea abies L) à résister au déracinement ou à la rupture sous l’effet d’un éboulement en pente raide ont été étudiés au moyen de tests de treuillage et le creusement de tranchées (tree winching and trenching tests) et les résultats ont été corrélés avec la structure du système racinaire. Aucune différence n’a été observée entre TMcrit et la distance de creusement de tranchée sur E. grandis. Les résultats obtenus ont révélé qu’en termes de rigidité rotationnelle de l’ancrage des arbres (TARS) et de TMcrit, la stabilité mécanique n’a pas été significativement affectée par le creusement de tranchées en sol argilo-sableux en raison de la profondeur d’enracinement des racines pivotantes (« sinker roots ») qui se sont formées près du tronc et en raison de la taille de la plaque racinaire qui augmente la rigidité et constitue donc une composante importante de l’ancrage d’E. grandis. Toutefois, pour P. pinaster, la stabilité mécanique a été significativement affectée par le creusement de tranchée, probablement en raison de la coupe des racines latérales qui a considérablement altéré la taille de la plaque racinaire et, en conséquence, la somme des surfaces en section (CSA= cross-sectional area) de la plupart des racines latérales et d’un certain nombre de racines traçantes, ce qui constitue une des composantes essentielles de l’ancrage d’arbres P. pinaster adultes plantés en podzol sableux. Pour les espèces forestières de protection plantées en pente raide, les résultats obtenus ont révélé que les espèces d’arbre présentant un système racinaire profondément enfoui et fortement ramifié avec une grande proportion de racines obliques (par exemple, le hêtre et le sapin pectiné) seront mieux ancrées et auront une meilleure fonction anti-éboulement que epicéa commun qui possède un système racinaire superficiel et peu profond. Les connaissances apportées par cette étude peuvent être utilisées pour la sélection et la production d’arbres qui résistent aux risques naturels ainsi qu’aux risques provoqués par l’Homme. / The impact of root loss on tree anchorage on Eugenia grandis Wight and Pinus pinaster Ait and the ability of three different trees species (Fagus sylvatica L, Abies alba Mill and Picea abies L) to resist uprooting or breakage due to rockfall on steep slopes were investigated using tree winching and trenching tests and results correlated to root system architecture. No differences were found between TMcrit and trenching distance in E. grandis trees. The results showed that in terms of Tree Anchorage Rotational Stiffness (TARS) and TMcrit, mechanical stability was not significantly affected by trenching on sandy clay soil, due to rooting depth of the sinkers which occurred close to the trunk and root plate size which provide greater stiffness thus play a major component of anchorage in E. grandis. However, in P. pinaster, mechanical stability was significantly affected by trenching, possibly due to severing of lateral roots greatly altered the size of the root plate and subsequently root CSA of major lateral roots and number of sinkers, which are crucial components in anchorage of mature P. pinaster trees grown on sandy podzol soil. For protection forest species grown on steep slopes, the results showed that tree species with deep, highly branched root systems with a higher proportion of oblique roots (e.g. European beech and Silver fir) will be better anchored and provide better protective function against rockfall as compared to Norway spruce that possessed a superficial plate-like root system. The knowledge gained from this study can be utilized in selection and production of trees which are resistant to both man made or natural hazards.