This PhD research project mainly examined the important yet incompletely understood field of the mechano-sorptive creep of softwood. It included the acquisition of accurate creep data during constant and cyclic moisture conditions. The study only concerns the loading of softwood in the longitudinal, parallel to the grain direction in bending mode. Mechano-sorptive creep deformation takes place when the wood is subjected to load in varying humidity conditions, where the creep deformation is substantially higher than the creep deformation under constant humidity conditions. Visco-elastic creep is defined as the creep strain that is primarily dependent on time. Further analysis on the pseudo-creep, which is reversible with moisture changes, was also investigated. The Young's Modulus (E) and density (p) of the samples used in this research were measured and the ratio of (E/p) was used to characterise the quality of the wood specimen. A program was written in Quick-Basic for the computer to take readings from the creep machines at all times during all creep tests for acquiring maximum creep data possible for obtaining better results. A 'steaming' technique was implemented to accelerate creep recovery, in order to allow the re-use of the same sample for repeated creep testing, so reducing the effects of variability. Measurements of visco-elastic creep, mechano-sorptive creep limit and pseudo-creep rate as functions of percentage relative humidity and E/p were investigated and analysed. The mechano-sorptive creep limit was successfully reached by the load-reduction method. The pseudo-creep rate was similar for samples with the same values of E/p at different relative humidity. The higher the relative humidity, the larger the magnitude of visco-elastic and the 'reference' creep at the mechano-sorptive creep limit. A higher value of E/p produced lower pseudocreep rate, visco-elastic creep and mechano-sorptive creep limit. Equations were derived from the one week visco-elastic creep experimental data in order to extrapolate visco-elastic creep to longer time durations, (medium, long and permanent periods, and compared to the new European code of practice for timber design, namely the Draft Eurocode 5), and at two critical relative humidity conditions, (63% and 90%rh), which correspond to the Service Classes 1 and 2 in the Draft Eurocode 5. Also, an equation to predict the mechano-sorptive creep limit at various values of E/p for the two critical relative humidity conditions, (63% and 90%rh), was acquired. The prediction of creep at various relative humidities along the pseudo creep line was also quantified. The extrapolated visco-elastic creep along with the total upper-bound creep values were compared to the creep allowances of the Draft Eurocode 5 for both Service Classes 1 and 2. Moreover, a design scheme for estimating the upper-bound creep, consisting of the addition of visco-elastic, mechano-sorptive and pseudo creep for Draft Eurocode 5 Service Classes 1 and 2 was achieved. A study of the degree of interaction between visco-elastic and mechanosorptive creep was further investigated. Two different experiments were performed to reach some conclusion. The results of the first experiment showed that mechanosorptive creep acceleration decreases the visco-elastic creep rate and there was some kind of interaction between the two creep mechanisms. Hence the two creep mechanisms should not be considered as a separate phenomenon. On the other hand, the results of the second experiment showed that the visco-elastic and mechanosorptive creep are not a single process but are related processes. Moreover, it was deduced that the mechano-sorptive creep does not depend on the accumulation of the visco-elastic creep rate.

To model dissipation of energy in vibrating civil structures, existence of viscous damping is commonly assumed primarily for mathematical convenience. In such a classical damper, the damping force is assumed to depend only on the velocity of deformation. Fluid viscous dampers that provide this type of damping have been manufactured to provide supplementary damping in civil and mechanical systems to enhance their performance. Some fluid dampers, however, exhibit stiffening characteristics at higher frequencies of deformation. The force deformation relationship of such dampers can be better represented by the Maxwell model of visco-elasticity. This model consists of a viscous dashpot in series with a spring, the latter element providing the stiffening characteristics. This study is concerned with the optimal utilization of such Maxwell dampers for seismic performance improvement of civil structures. The force deformation relationship of Maxwell dampers is described by a first order differential equation. Earlier studies dealing with these dampers, used an unsymmetric set of equations for combined structure and damper system. The solution of such equations for response analysis or for optimization calculation by a modal analysis approach would require the pair of the left and right eigenvectors. In this study, an auxiliary variable is introduced in the representation of a Maxwell damper to obtain symmetric equations of motion for combined structure and damper system. This eliminates the need for working with two sets of eigenvectors and their derivatives, required for optimal analysis. Since the main objective of installing these dampers is to reduce the structural response in an optimal manner, the optimization problem is defined in terms of the minimization of some response-based performance indices. To calculate the optimal parameters of dampers placed at different location in the structure, Rosen's gradient projection method is employed. For numerical illustration, a 24-story shear building is considered. Numerical results are obtained for seismic input defined by a spectral density function; however, the formulation permits direct utilization of response spectrum-based description of design earthquake. Three different performance indices -- inter story drift-based, floor acceleration-based, and base shear-based performance indices-- have been considered to calculate the numerical results. A computational scheme is presented to calculate the amount of total damping required to achieve a desired level of response reduction. The effect of ignoring the stiffening effect at higher frequencies in the Maxwell model on the optimal performance is evaluated by parametric variation of relaxation time coefficient. It is observed that the models with higher relaxation time parameter show a decreased response reducing damping effect. Thus ignoring the stiffening effect when it is, indeed, present would provide an unconservative estimation of the damping effect. The effect of brace flexibilities on different performance indices is also investigated. It is observed that flexibility in a brace reduces the effectiveness of the damper. / Master of Science

L'objectif de notre étude est de mettre en évidence les synergies existantes entre les différents facteurs de vieillissement lors de la dégradation d’un revêtement polymère modèle, représentatif d’une peinture anticorrosion.Notre travail a consisté à suivre le vieillissement hygrothermique du système DGEBA/TETA sous forme de film libre et de revêtement déposé sur substrat acier dans différentes solutions (eau pure et NaCl 3%) pour différentes températures et contraintes mécaniques visco-élastique appliquées. Nos résultats ont montré que le programme de cuisson affectait les propriétés physico-chimiques et mécaniques du système initial et que l’absorption d’eau, non homogène, suivait une loi non-Fickienne, suite à un phénomène de gonflement.La prise en eau et la diffusion ont été caractérisées par gravimétrie et spectroscopie d’impédance électrochimique. Nos résultats montrent que les propriétés barrière du revêtement diminuent avec la quantité d’eau absorbée et avec la température de vieillissement. Cependant, la contrainte plane appliquée sur le système tend à contrarier cet effet. La formalisation de nos observations expérimentales dans le cadre d’une approche thermodynamique a montré l’effet prépondérant de la partie entropique par rapport à la partie enthalpique de l’énergie d’activation des processus de transport de l’eau, en raison de l’orientation des chaînes sous l’action de la contrainte. De plus, une diminution de la permittivité relative du revêtement sec a été observée en fonction de la température et de la contrainte appliquée, indépendamment de son signe (tension ou compression). Dans ce cas, la contribution enthalpique semble être prépondérante. / The objective of this study is to highlight synergies existing between different ageing factors during the degradation of a polymer model coating system, representing an anti-corrosion coating.We first monitored the hygrothermal ageing of DGEBA/TETA system as free films and as attached films onto a steel substrate in different solutions (water and NaCl 3wt% solution) for different temperatures and applied mechanical visco-elastic stresses. Our results showed that the curing programs affected the physic-chemical and mechanical properties of the cured systems and that the non-homogeneous water uptake process followed a non-Fickian law, due to a swelling phenomenon.The water uptake and diffusion were characterized by gravimetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that the barrier properties of the coating decrease with the quantity of absorbed water in system and with the increasing of the ageing temperature. However, the planar stress applied onto the system tends to counteract this effect. The formalization of our experimental observations within a thermodynamic approach showed the predominant effect of the entropic part in comparison with enthalpic part of the activation energy of the water uptake process, due to the reorientation of polymer chains under the applied stress. In addition, a decrease in the relative permittivity of the initial dry coating was observed as a function of the temperature and the applied stress, regardless of its sign (tension and compression). In this case, the enthalpic contribution seems to be predominant.

New modelling tools intended to contribute to the development of components for quieter vehicles are developed. The tools are based on continuum models for wave propagation in poro– and visco–elastic media. By using geometric attributes of the studied components, the computational cost may be radically decreased compared to traditional methods. By assigning known analytical functions for one or two of the spatial directions, the spatial dimension of the remaining numerical problem is reduced. This reduction of spatial dimensions is performed in two di↵erent ways. The first one treats wave propagation in infinitely extended homogeneous and hollowed cylindrical rods, or wave guides, consisting of visco–elastic media. The wave solutions obtained are then used to model rubber vibration isolators of finite length by mode–matching the fields to the radial boundary conditions of interest. The second one is a method for modelling rotationally symmetric multilayered structures consisting of poro–elastic, elastic and fluid domains. By using a harmonic expansion for the azimuthal spatial dependence, the original three–dimensional problem is split up into several, much smaller, two– dimensional ones, radically decreasing the computational load. Moreover, using a mixed measurement/modelling approach, the audible frequency range characteristics of a viscous damper from a truck is studied, illustrating the influence of the rubber bushings by which it is attached to surrounding structures. The modelling approaches presented in this thesis are intended as tools aiding the design process of new vehicles, enabling new technology striving for more sustainable vehicle concepts. More specifically, the tools aim to improve the modelling of sound and vibration properties which are often penalised when seeking new, more sustainable vehicle designs. / <p>QC 20120522</p> / Centre for Eco2 Vehicle Design

New modelling tools intended to contribute to the development of components for quieter vehicles are developed. The tools are based on continuum models for wave propagation in poro- and visco-elastic media. By using geometric attributes of the studied components, the computational cost may be radically decreased compared to traditional methods. By assigning known analytical functions for one or two of the spatial directions, the spatial dimension of the remaining numerical problem is reduced. This reduction of spatial dimensions is performed in two di↵erent ways. The first one treats wave propagation in infinitely extended homogeneous and hollowed cylindrical rods, or wave guides, consisting of visco-elastic media. The wave solutions obtained are then used to model rubber vibration isolators of finite length by mode-matching the fields to the radial boundary conditions of interest. The second one is a method for modelling rotationally symmetric multilayered structures consisting of poro-elastic, elastic and fluid domains. By using a harmonic expansion for the azimuthal spatial dependence, the original three-dimensional problem is split up into several, much smaller, two- dimensional ones, radically decreasing the computational load.Moreover, using a mixed measurement/modelling approach, the audible frequency range characteristics of a viscous damper from a truck is studied, illustrating the influence of the rubber bushings by which it is attached to surrounding structures.The modelling approaches presented in this thesis are intended as tools aiding the design process of new vehicles, enabling new technology striving for more sustainable vehicle concepts. More specifically, the tools aim to improve the modelling of sound and vibration properties which are often penalised when seeking new, more sustainable vehicle designs.

Visco-elastic behaviour at the nano-level of a commonly used polymer (PET) is characterised using atomic force microscopy (AFM) at a range of temperatures. The modulus, indentation creep and relaxation time of the PET film (thickness = 100 m) is highly sensitive to temperature over an experimental temperature range of 22¿175 ¿C. The analysis showed a 40-fold increase in the amount of indentation creep on raising the temperature from 22 ¿C to 100 ¿C, with the most rapid rise occurring above the glass-to-rubber transition temperature (Tg = 77.1 ¿C). At higher temperatures, close to the crystallisation temperature (Tc = 134.7 ¿C), the indentation creep reduced to levels similar to those at temperatures below Tg. The calculated relaxation time showed a similar temperature dependence, rising from 0.6 s below Tg to 1.2 s between Tg and Tc and falling back to 0.6 s above Tc. Whereas, the recorded modulus of the thick polymer film decreases above Tg, subsequently increasing near Tc. These visco-elastic parameters are obtained via mechanical modelling of the creep curves and are correlated to the thermal phase changes that occur in PET, as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Orientador: Katia Lucchesi Cavalca Dedini / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T21:40:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ramalho_DeniseAlves_M.pdf: 10823264 bytes, checksum: 8b25eba0e7c26b9c543a70020d208299 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho é estender e melhorar a análise dinâmica de um sistema rotorfundação-solo através da inclusão de modelos distintos de perfis de solo. Obtém-se a resposta desbalanceada de um rotor Laval (Jeffcott) simples bidimensional com mancais rígidos. O rotor é colocado sobre uma fundação de bloco rígido. Os perfis de solo incluem o modelo clássico de semi-espaço e o modelo de solo sobre base rígida. Em particular, uma camada sobre base rígida com diferentes valores de profundidade será considerada. A resposta dinâmica do solo é obtida no domínio da freqüência. O mecanismo de amortecimento interno do solo é considerado. Vários estudos paramétricos são realizados para avaliar o papel da espessura da camada do solo, do coeficiente de amortecimento do solo, da inércia da fundação e da altura dos mancais na resposta ao desbalancemento do rotor. Acredita-se que a análise deste modelo simples de rotor-fundação-solo ajudará a esclarecer o papel dos parâmetros mencionados na resposta dinâmica do rotor / Abstract: The aim of the present work is to extend and improve the dynamic analysis of a rotorfoundation-soil system by including the modelling of distinct soil profiles. The unbalance response of a simple two-dimensional Laval (Jeffcott) rotor with rigid bearings is performed. The rotor is attached to a rigid strip foundation (block foundation). The soil profiles, on the other hand, include the classical half-space but also stratified soils. In particular, a layer with various depths over a bedrock will be considered. The soil¿s dynamic response is furnished in terms of frequency dependent complex impedances. The soil internal damping mechanism is also addressed by making the soil a viscoelastic continuum. A series of parametric studies are perfomed to assess the role of soil layer thickness, soil internal damping coefficient, foundation inertia and bearing height on the rotor unbalance response. It is believed that the analysis of this simple otor-foundation-soil model will help to clarify the role of the mentioned parameters on the rotor dynamic response / Mestrado / Mecanica dos Sólidos e Projeto Mecanico / Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

Modelling and simulation of the human body during an impact situation such as a car accident, can lead to better designed safety features on vehicles. In order to achieve this, investigation into the material properties and the creation of a numerical model of cortical bone is needed. One approach to creating a material model of cortical bone suitable for these situations is to describe the material model as visco-elastic, as reported by Shim et al. [1], Bekker et al. [2] and Cloete et al. [3]. The work by Shim et al. and Bekker et al. developed three-dimensional models, but do not accurately capture the transition in behaviour in the intermediate strain rate region, while Cloete et al. developed a phenomenological model which captures the intermediate strain rate behaviour in one dimension. This work aims to verify and extend these models. The intermediate strain rate regime (1 s−1 to 100 s−1 ) is of particular interest because it is a key characteristic of the behaviour of cortical bone and several studies have been conducted to gather experimental data in this region [3, 4, 5, 6]. The behaviour can be captured using non-linear viscoelastic models. This dissertation focuses on the development and implementation of a material model of cortical bone based on non-linear visco-elastic models to capture the intermediate strain rate regime behaviour. The material model was developed using uni-axial test results from cortical bone. The model by Cloete et al. has been improved and extended, and issues of local and global strain rate with regards to the viscosity have been clarified. A hereditary integral approach was taken in the analysis and implementation of discrete models and was found to be consistent with mathematical models. The model developed was extended to three dimensions in a manner similar to that of Shim et al. and Bekker et al. for implementation in commercial finite element software (LS-Dyna and Abaqus).

Asphalt mix design includes the determination of a gradation, asphalt content, other volumetric properties, the evaluation of mechanical properties and moisture damage potentials. In this study, a computational method is developed to aid mix design. Discrete element method (DEM) was used to simulate the formation of skeleton and voids structures of asphalt concrete of different gradations of aggregates. The optimum gradation could be determined by manipulating the particle locations and orientations and placing smaller particles in the voids among larger particles. This method aims at an optimum gradation, which has been achieved through experimental methods. However, this method takes the mechanical properties or performance of the mixture into consideration, such as inter-aggregate contacts and local stability. A simple visco-elastic model was applied to model the contacts between asphalt binder and aggregates. The surface texture of an aggregate particle can be taken into consideration in the inter-particle contact model. The void content before compactions was used to judge the relative merits of a gradation. Once a gradation is selected, the Voids in Mineral Aggregate (VMA) can be determined. For a certain air void content, the mastics volume or the binder volume or the asphalt content can be determined via a digital compression test. The surface area of all the aggregates and the film thickness can be then calculated. The asphalt content can also be determined using an alternative approach that is based on modeling the inter-particle contact with an asphalt binder layer. In this study, considering the necessity of preservation of the compaction temperature, the effect of various temperatures on Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) samples properties has been evaluated. As well, to evaluate the effect of this parameter on different grading, two different grading have been used and samples were compacted at various temperatures. Air voids also influence pore water pressure and shrinkage of asphalt binder and mixture significantly. The shrinkage is measured on a digital model that represents beams in a steel mold and is defined as the linear autogenous deformation at horizontal direction. / Ph. D.

L’élastographie-IRM du sein (MRE) est une technique d’imagerie fonctionnelle non invasive utilisant les propriétés visco-élastiques des tissus et qui permet comme en élastographie-échographie d’évaluer la rigidité d’une lésion. Il est également possible, à la différence de l’élastographie-échographie, d’évaluer le degré de viscosité d’une lésion, et ainsi grâce à la combinaison élasticité/viscosité, comparée à l’analyse des paramètres IRM classiques comme la morphologie ou la cinétique de rehaussement, d’améliorer la caractérisation lésionnelle. Très peu d’études en élastographie-IRM du sein ont été menées à ce jour, essentiellement du fait d’une problématique instrumentale et de mise à disposition d’une antenne dédiée sein équipé d’un dispositif de génération des ondes de cisaillement dans le sein. Dans un premier temps, nous avons pu établir et optimiser une séquence élasto-IRM du sein sur une série de 10 volontaires saines. Cette séquence basée sur un principe de séquence Spin Echo EPI-MRE 3D, a permis l’acquisition de 50 coupes en 10 minutes sur un sein, compatible avec la pratique clinique en IRM du sein. Une approche multifréquence à 37,5 Hz, 75 Hz et 112,5 Hz a été ensuite testée sur les trois dernières volontaires puis transférées à notre population de patientes. Cette séquence multifréquence permettait la continuité de diffusion des ondes dans le sein. 50 patientes présentant des lésions indéterminées ou suspectes du sein (37 cancers, 13 bénins) ont ensuite été incluses dans ce protocole et examinées par IRM du sein classique avec séquence supplémentaire élasto-IRM. Certaines patientes étaient aussi examinées en élasto-échographie. Les données IRM morphologiques, dynamiques et de visco-élasticité IRM ont été corrélées à l’histologie. Nous avons pu montrer que les paramètres visco-élastiques IRM étaient fortement corrélés avec le score de malignité d’une lésion (Bi-RADS ACR) et avec le caractère différentiel bénin/malin. C’est notamment le paramètre Gd qui représente l’élasticité, qui était plus faible en cas de lésion suspecte BI-RADS 5. Le paramètre Gl était plus élevé dans les lésions malignes par rapport aux lésions bénignes, avec un niveau de viscosité statistiquement supérieur dans les lésions malignes. Le meilleur paramètre semble être le rapport y (Gl/Gd) qui était aussi significativement élevé dans les lésions malignes par comparaison avec les lésions bénignes du sein, et qui a été analysé comme un facteur indépendant. En pratique, l’ajout de la séquence MRE à un examen IRM du sein classique a permis dans notre étude d’améliorer significativement la sensibilité de l’IRM (de 78 à 91 %) sans perte de spécificité, celle-ci étant initialement très bonne dans cette étude. Nous n’avons pas en revanche établi de lien entre la fibrose, la quantification vasculaire ou la nécrose pour expliquer ces phénomènes de visco-élasticité des tumeurs. En conclusion, l’élasto-IRM peut s’avérer utile pour améliorer le diagnostic de lésions du sein en IRM. Une poursuite des travaux avec optimisation de la séquence pour qu’elle puisse permettre l’analyse des deux seins sera nécessaire pour sa diffusion en pratique clinique. Ce travail pourrait idéalement se poursuivre sur une plus grande série de patientes. / MR-elastography (MRE) is a non-invasive functional Imaging technique using tissue mechanical visco-elastic properties to evaluate tissue stifness. MRE is different from elasticity Imaging in ultrasound, as it is possible to evaluate tumour viscosity. Combining viscosity and elasticity may improve MRI accuracy, in comparison with classical morphological and kinetics criteria. Only very few studies are focused on breast MRE, because of low availability of dedicated breast coils with MRE devices. Firstly, we developed and optimized a breast MRE sequence on a population of 10 volunteers. This sequence is based on a Spin Echo EPI-MRE 3D, and it was possible to acquire 50 slices on one breast in 10 minutes, which is applicable in a clinical routine in breast MRI. Secondly, a multi-frequency approach 37,5 Hz, 75 Hz and 112,5 Hz has been evaluated on the last three volunteers, then transferred to our patient’s population. A continous diffusion of waves within the breast was possible with this multifrequency approach sequence. 50 patients presenting undetermined or suspicious breast lesions (37 cancers, 13 benign lesions) were included in this study and examined with a standard breast MRI and MRE sequence. Some patients were also examined with shear-wave ultrasound elastography (ARFI mode, Siemens ®). Morphological, kinetic and visco-elastic MR parameters were correlated to pathology. We demonstrated that MR visco-elastic properties were strongly correlated with Bi-RADS ACR malignancy score of a breast lesion and with malignant and benign status. The best parameter was Gd (dynamic modulus), which corresponded to lesion stiffness. Gd was lower in case of BI-RADS 5 lesions. Gl parameter (Loss modulus) was higher in malignant lesions in comparison with benign lesions, with viscosity level statistically higher in malignant lesions. The best criterion was the ratio y (Gl/Gd), which was significantly higher in malignant lesions in comparison with benign lesions; ratio y was statistically an independent factor. In practice, addition of a MRE sequence to a standard breast MRI improved significantly breast MRI Sensitity (78 to 91 %) without reduction in specificity; Sp was anyway initially high in our study. Nevertheless, we didn’t demonstrate a statistical correlation with fibrosis, vascular grading or necrosis with MRE parameters, to explain visco-elastic properties of breast tumours. In conclusion, MR-elastography may be useful to improve breast MRI accuracy. In future studies, MRE sequence may be optimized to allow a bilateral acquisition on both breasts, which would be useful in clinical practice. Future works could include higher number of patients to confirm our results.