Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Deformation (Structural Analysis)'

GPS has been used to monitor engineering structures for a number of reasons. One important reason for monitoring high rise buildings (and other engineering structures) is their safety assessment in events of extreme loading, such as earthquakes and storms. Decisions must be made as soon as possible, whether to allow re-occupation of such buildings, or to assess them for further damage. The time required to reach such decisions is cost-critical, both for the building owner or manager and for the agency doing the assessment. Peak inter-storey drift ratio and detection of permanent damage are some of the damage assessment parameters recommended by assessment agencies. Traditionally, accelerometers have been used to monitor these parameters. Accelerometers measure accelerations which are double-integrated to get displacements. These double integrated displacements are then used for computing the inter-storey drift ratios and locating permanent damage. Displacements obtained by double-integration and inter-storey drift ratios by subtraction of these displacements, are often erroneous and unreliable and direct measurement of displacement is preferred. Direct measurement of displacement is required at a number of points along the height of the building. For example, for computing inter-storey drift ratios, measurements of displacement at both the floor level and roof level are required. Such points on buildings and other engineering structures of vertical profile are termed as mid-height points in this thesis. While GPS has been used for deformation monitoring of engineering structures and to assist in damage assessment during and after extreme loading events, its use has been limited to roof top installations.
This research is an attempt to measure displacements at mid-height locations of engineering structures of vertical profile using GPS. (For complete abstract open document).

The complete analysis of problems of solid mechanics must include the nonlinear effects of large deformations, inelastic material behaviour and changing boundary conditions. The finite element analysis of such problems using continuum finite elements is well established. However, the analysis of such problems using structural finite elements such as beams, plates and shells is still subject to restrictions which do not apply to continuum elements. The removal of these restrictions is important because (i) structural finite elements are widely used in current engineering practice (ii) the reduced number of variables associated with these elements leads to greater computational efficiency. The work carried out and reported in this thesis addresses the following areas of finite element analysis; the geometrically nonlinear analysis of two- and three-dimensional beams subject to arbitrarily large displacements and rotations; the elasto-plastic analysis of two- and three-dimensional beams using both multi-fibre and stress resultant approaches; the nonlinear analysis of two-dimensional reinforced concrete beams; the elasto-plastic analysis of shells using both the multi-layer and stress resultant approaches. A wide range of two- and three-dimensional problems have been analysed and the results reported. These problems cover a large number of two-dimensional beam, frame and arch problems including geometric and material nonlinearity. Results are compared with simple beam theory, other analytical solutions such as elliptic integrals, other finite element results and experimentation. Other problems analysed are three-dimensional beams with geometric and material nonlinearity, imperfect steel plates subject to large deformation elasto-plastic behaviour and two sample shell problems of practical application.

This paper studies the geometrically non-linear bending behavior of functionally graded beams subjected to buckling loads using the finite element method. The computational model is based on an improved first-order shear deformation theory for beams with five independent variables. The abstract finite element formulation is derived by means of the principle of virtual work. High-order nodal-spectral interpolation functions were utilized to approximate the field variables which minimizes the locking problem. The incremental/iterative solution technique of Newton's type is implemented to solve the nonlinear equations. The model is verified with benchmark problems available in the literature. The objective is to investigate the effect of volume fraction variation in the response of functionally graded beams made of ceramics and metals. As expected, the results show that transverse deflections vary significantly depending on the ceramic and metal combination.
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Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Geology, 2005.
Title from first page of PDF document. Document formatted into pages; contains [1], v, 72 p., [64] plates : ill. Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-71).

Interstory drift ratio is an important parameter for the determination of the structural performance under strong ground motions. A probabilistic procedure is proposed in this study to estimate the inelastic maximum interstory drift ratio. The procedure considers the uncertainties associated with the strong ground motions and structural behavior. Elastic and inelastic response history analyses of reinforced-concrete, moment-resisting frames are used together with a near-fault strong ground motion data set to derive the probabilistic procedure. The elastic and inelastic response history analysis results are evaluated in a statistical manner to present the probabilistic approach proposed here. The method presented basically makes use of the fundamental mode properties of the frame systems and modifies the elastic maximum interstory drift ratio by a modifying factor that is determined from the idealized lateral strength capacity (pushover analysis) of the structure. As a part of this thesis, the performance of recently improved nonlinear static procedures that are used in estimating the deformation demands on structural systems are also evaluated using the single- and multi-degree-of-freedom response history analyses results obtained during the conduct of the study.

An integrated field and structural analysis of the Mitten Park fault-fold structure, northwestern Colorado and northeastern Utah, examines its structural origin. The Mitten Park structure is a modified fault-propagation-fold. This new model incorporates faulting, folding, and fracturing in one deformational event to produce the Mitten Park fault and associated monocline. The largest structure in the study area is the Mitten Park fault and associated monocline. The Mitten Park fault has approximately 127 meters (415 feet) of net slip, strikes S28°W and dips 55°WNW. In the footwall, net shortening was accommodated by reverse and normal faulting. Faulting was the result of northwest-southeast directed shortening. Reverse faulting accommodated the majority of the fault-related strain along the fault's trace and resulted in net shortening. However, normal faults in the overturned limb of the footwall of the Mitten Park fault also accommodated northwest-southeast directed shortening. Folds in the study area are asymmetrical and statistically cylindrical in both the footwall and the hanging wall. Folding facilitates northwest-southeast directed shortening. There is a direct correlation between changes in the strike and dip of the fault plane and changes in the trend and plunge of fold axis in the footwall. Fracture orientations show no significant variation in geometry from hanging wall to footwall. Fracture intensity increases with proximity to the Mitten Park fault. Balanced cross sections of the Mitten Park area use a modified fault-propagation- fold model and are also constrained by field observations and interlimb angles of folds. Total shortening in the study area is 13.5% and was accommodated by the hanging wall, the footwall, and the Mitten Park fault. The hanging wall accommodated 70.8% of total shortening, the footwall accommodated 14.9% of total shortening, and the Mitten Park fault accommodated 14.3% of total shortening. The significant amount of strain in the footwall of the fault is different from classical models of fault-propagation-folds, which depict a rigid undeformed footwall.

After 333 years under depths of the Baltic Sea, the warship Vasa was salvaged and nowadayslies in a dry dock inside the Vasa Museum in Stockholm. Its current support system, which consists on eighteen cradle-stanchions pairs of steel, is not able to handle the present loads in a satisfactory manner. Experimental tests showed that the Vasa's hull is gradually deforming mainly due to creep behavior. Thus, in order to preserve the Vasa for future generations, a new support system has to be implemented in a foreseeable future. There are several factors to take into consideration for its construction, which are: the degradation of the oak, its current mechanical properties and its inhomogeneity in addition to the climatic conditions of the Museum and the impossibility of taking unlimited specimens for its analysis. Hence, it is crucial to investigate the areas where the stresses and deformations are critical in the ship and how affected is the stiffness of the hull, its most important component. In this dissertation work two Finite Element Analyses are accomplished. The first study consists on the creation of a superelement of a section of Vasa's hull with the intention of investigating the influence of the dowels on the stiffness of the hull. In the second analysis a simplied model of the entire warship Vasa is created in order to analyze it and locate possible critical areas on the hull due to its own weight and the stresses originated by the support system. The software selected for these simulations are Abaqus and CreoSimulate 2.0. From the first study it is concluded that that the dowels do not have a signicant influence in the stiffness coeffcients of the hull. The second analysis determines that the maximum stresses are located on the bottom part of the hull. This dissertation work concludes with a suggested future work.

In order to understand the tectonic evolution of the Kalecik region (Ankara, Turkey), a structural field study was performed in a selected area located in the east of Kalecik, where mostly imbricated thrust sheets of the Cretaceous Ophiolitic melange crop out. In the study area, the Cretaceous Ophiolitic melange, Cretaceous radiolaria-bearing sequences and the Paleocene units are all intruded by sub-vertical dykes. The attitudes of planar structures (dykes, beds and faults) and the kinematic data measured on faults were analyzed by using &ldquo
ROCKWORKS 2002&rdquo
and &ldquo
Angelier Direct Inversion Method (version 5.42)&rdquo
softwares, respectively. A major trend of NE-SW (045°
N) direction and relatively a post-Paleocene &ndash
pre-Miocene age was determined for the dykes indicating an extension in the NW-SE direction during post-Paleocene. The dykes cut bedded units displaying a dominant set trending in WNW-ESE (297°
N) direction and mostly dipping towards NE with moderate dip amounts. But at the same time, the Upper Cretaceous units were observed as intensely folded, faulted and thrusted due to the compressional regime that acted in Central Anatolia during Late Cretaceous. The angular difference between the major trend of dykes and the dominant trend of stratification was found as approximately 108°
., which may also indicate that the dykes and beds were evolved during different deformation periods. The results of the kinematic analyses of different age faults revealed that the post-Paleocene &ndash
pre-Miocene Kalecik basaltic dykes are deformed under a continuous NW-SE-oriented post-Paleocene compressional to strike-slip tectonic regime which was followed by a NNW-SSE oriented post-Miocene extensional-transtensional regime.

The study area is located within the Neogene-Quaternary sequences on top of the Mesozoic accreted mass at the northwest of Kazan (40 km NW of Ankara) between Karalar and Alibey villages. The research deals with the post-Miocene deformational history of an area situated at the southern edge of Galatian Volcanic Province. Two main Neogene rock sequences are cropped out
1) Late Miocene Pazar Formation, 2) Plio-Quaternary Sinap Formation. The Pazar Formation has a succession composed mainly of clastics at the bottom and, cherts and limestones to the top of the sequence representing a fresh water lake environment. Sedimentation seems to be affected by the intense volcanism going on in the Galatian Volcanic Province. Location of a mammalian fossil found in the Pazar Formation yielded a possible time interval between MN-9 to MN-13 (Middle to Late Miocene). Sinap Formation overlies the Pazar Formation unconformably and it is dominantly represented by fluvial clastics. The post-Miocene deformational studies based on the analysis of the structural data collected from bedding planes and fault planes. Totally 213 dip-strike measurements from the Neogene units and 204 slip lineation data from the fault planes were taken. Fold analysis of dip and strike measurements taken from the Pazar Formation gave a common fold axis trending in N430E direction. Similarly fold analysis for the Sinap Formation resulted N400E striking trend for the fold axis. Stress analysis was performed by processing slip lineation data using Angelier direct inversion method. In the analysis, no reliable results for the post-Miocene compressional phase could be obtained. But the results of the post-Plio-Quaternary extensional regime are strongly reliable. It clearly gives an extension in NW-SE direction. Stress analysis together with the field observations show that the area has been structurally evolved in several phases of deformation. The NW-SE to N-S-directed post-Miocene compressional event is followed by a regional extension operating since Plio-Quaternary.

Deformation mechanisms in the footwall of the Willard thrust fault, northern Wasatch Range, Utah, change from dominantly plastic to dominantly cataclastic (both microscopically and macroscopically) in the Ophir Formation and Maxfield Limestone before the thrust begins to ramp laterally upsection southward, just to the north of the North Ogden Canyon field area. This transition in compressional deformation style and mechanism is located within a lateral distance of 3.2-kilometers along the 22-kilometer long trace of the thrust fault. Between Willard Canyon and North Ogden Canyon penetrative deformation is localized within 200 meters of the thrust surface and is characterized by transposed bedding, solution cleavage parallel to bedding, a northeast- to northwest-dipping foliation, and tight isoclinal folds with axes plunging generally northward. A fracture overprint in the footwall is present throughout the study area. The transition in deformation mechanism and style suggests that footwall deformation is dependent on the sensitive response of limestone and shale to increased pressure and temperature conditions and also the presence of a lateral ramp in the footwall of the Willard thrust. Data from a hangingwall sequence diagram and a stratigraphic displacement diagram suggest the Taylor and Ogden thrusts formed prior to the Willard thrust (the roof thrust) and their sequential geometrical evolution may have been influenced by preexisting rifts in the underlying crystalline basement rock. It is proposed that early Cretaceous movement of the Willard thrust sheet over the structurally lower and older Taylor and Ogden thrust sheets resulted in the formation of a recumbent syncline overturned to the east, a southward rising lateral ramp in the footwall of the Willard thrust, a lateral change in footwall deformation, and the anomalous east-west trending canyons that cut through the Willard thrust complex.

Panel zone is one of the significant parts of beam-column connections in steel structures. Until the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, a few experimental research and parametric studies had been carried out to understand the behavior of the panel zones. However, after the Northridge Earthquake, it was observed that beam-column connections were unable to show presumed seismic performance. Therefore, current design codes needed to be revised to improve seismic performance of connections in general and panel zones in particular. In this research, panel zone deformation demands are examined using explicit three dimensional finite element models and considering different parameters. For this purpose, a frame model with two different beam-column configurations was developed in order to observe the effects of beam depth, the axial load level and the level of seismicity. The frame models were analyzed under twenty different ground motion records. Local strain demands at the panel zones as well as the global frame deformation demands are evaluated. Analysis results revealed that AISC Specification designs allowed panel zone yielding
however, panel zones designed according to FEMA 355D showed minimal yielding for both shallow and deep beam configurations. Based on the analysis results, local shear strain demands in panel zones were expressed as a function of interstory drifts and normalized panel zone thicknesses.

The Coeur d'Alene district in northern Idaho is a world class Pb-Ag mesothermal vein system that has produced about 360 million ounces of silver, lead, and zinc since the 1880s. Despite the long history of exploration and production, the district does not have a predictive model for exploration based on a sound understanding of structural controls on the silver ore deposits; this is certainly the case for the Sunshine Mine and surrounding area. Fault kinematic history in the district shows a regional scale fault system reactivated over time with dextral, sinistral, and dip-slip displacement. The fault system is superimposed on regional deformation fabrics that were examined for this study in the Sunshine Mine area. Cleavage sets observed in the Sunshine mine area, distinguished by orientation and superposition relationships, are consistent with the findings of Smith (2004) which defined cleavage sets referred to as S1, S2, and S3. Two additional deformation fabrics that appear spatially tied to fault zones formed between development of cleavages S2 and S3. The multiple cleavages, fault zones, and their intersections are interpreted to act as pathways for hydrothermal fluids associated with vein formation and silver ore deposition. Thin section kinematic analysis of vein and shear zone samples defined a dip-slip sense of shear associated with the Sterling vein. Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) analysis of vein and shear zone samples failed to define a lattice preferred crystallographic orientation that defined shear sense. Similarly, cathodoluminescence (CL) analysis of thin section textures failed to define a dominant shear sense and fault kinematics. Nevertheless, additional study using these techniques is warranted. Both field observation and thin section analysis demonstrate a direct relationship between shear zones, veins, and mineralization potential, clarifying the need for detailed fault maps for the Sunshine Mine area and Coeur d'Alene district.

The Grey’s Landing ignimbrite is an exceptionally well-preserved and well-exposed lava-like ignimbrite in the Snake River Plain volcanic province of southern Idaho, USA. High-grade tuffs are typically intensely welded and rheomorphic, preserving evidence of syn- and post-depositional ductile flow. The Grey’s Landing ignimbrite underwent two distinct phases of rheomorphism: (1) syn-depositional welding and rheomorphism as the deposit aggraded, producing a penetrative, mylonite-like L > S fabric including sheath folds, a strong elongation lineation, and shear-sense indicators; and (2) post-depositional, en masse, gravity-driven flow of parts of the deposit down palaeo-slopes, producing a fold-dominated deformation characterised by large-scale folds of the upper surface of the ignimbrite. Thermal and rheological modelling suggest that the original magma was hot (~ 950 °C), volatile-rich (≤ 5 wt % fluorine), and low viscosity (≥ 106 Pa.s-1). Syn-depositional rheomorphism had a strain rate of ~ 10-5 s-1 and deformed ignimbrite with a viscosity similar to the original magma. Postdepositional rheomorphism was limited to 6 months at the upper surface and ≤ 16 years in the centre of the thickest ignimbrite, at a strain rate of ~ 10-6 s-1.

The need to protect marine structures from the high-intensity impulsive loads created by underwater explosions has stimulated renewed interest in the mechanical response of sandwich structures. The objective of this combined numerical and experimental study is to analyze the dynamic response of composite sandwich structures and develop material-structure-property relations and design criteria for improving the blast-resistance of marine structures. Configurations analyzed include polymer foam core structures with planar geometries. A novel experimental facility to generate high-intensity underwater impulsive loads and carry out in-situ measurements of dynamic deformations in marine structures is developed. Experiments are supported by fully dynamic finite-element simulations which account for the effects of fluid-structure interaction, and the constitutive and damage response of E-glass/polyester composites and PVC foams. Results indicate that the core-density has a significant influence on dynamic deformations and failure modes. Polymeric foams experience considerable rate-effects and exhibit extensive shear cracking and collapse under high-magnitude multi-axial underwater impulsive loads. In structures with identical masses, low-density foam cores consistently outperform high-density foam cores, undergoing lesser deflections and transmitting smaller impulses. Calculations reveal a significant difference between the response of air-backed and water-backed structures. Water-backed structures undergo much greater damage and consequently need to absorb a much larger amount of energy than air-backed structures. The impulses transmitted through water-backed structures have significant implications for structural design. The thickness of the facesheets is varied under the conditions of constant material properties and core dimensions. The results reveal an optimal thickness of the facesheets which maximizes energy absorption in the core and minimizes the overall deflection of the structure.

This research describes the surface expressions (deformation) of active geological processes linked to certain space-time relationships, localised in central Sicily, through geodetic, geophysical and geological analyses. The surface expressions of active geological processes have been distinguished into two types, those linked to long-term deformation stages of tectonic origin (regional scale) and the transient ones (local scale) linked to deformation processes resulting from the main tectonic dynamics. This research also provides guidelines for monitoring and surveying phenomena consequent to active tectonic processes, formulated according to geological, kinematic and seismological models. These guidelines have been synthesised considering the special characteristics of the individual methodologies and instruments used during this project. The first part of the thesis introduces the concepts of active geological processes, their monitoring and relief, the study areas (open-air laboratories) being studied by the GEODynamics & GEOMatic Laboratory research group, and the one being studied located in central Sicily (Central Sicily Laboratory). Based on the conceptual model of the Central Sicily Laboratory, the geological, kinematic and seismological models and possible scenarios were defined. Subsequently, the applied methodologies, the principles on which they are based and their application were introduced. The main objective of the research is to detect and define the surface kinematic behaviour that characterises the study area and consequently define the parameters useful for the development of statistical, analytical and numerical models. SAR interferometric data were processed, according to the A-DInSAR techniques of Permanent Scatters (PS) by means of StaMPS-MTI to obtain the field deformation of the Laboratory of Central Sicily. GNSS campaigns were also carried out on some sites of the IGM95 network integrated with data from the permanent networks on the Sicilian territory (RING, RDN and TopgeoLive). The integration between PS and GNSS data makes it possible to define the real velocity field and to validate the velocity field obtained through PS. In addition, a geodetic topographic (3D) detail analysis was carried out by APR (remotely piloted aircraft) photogrammetry in the area affected by sedimentary volcanism (Maccalube di Santa Barbara, Caltanissetta) to monitor and detect deformations related to mud volcano activity. The results obtained made it possible to draw up a seismotectonic map of the Laboratory of Central Sicily supported by horizontal and vertical kinematic data and to define guidelines for monitoring geological processes in areas affected by active tectonics. Finally, areas have been identified in which the acting dynamics need to be investigated with further studies, such as areas affected by interseismic disequilibrium (Hyblean Plateau), areas in which phenomena of decoupling of regional deep and local surface deformation processes are detected (western slopes of Etna), and areas that bear witness to uplift of tectonic origin (south-western area of western Sicily.

Šiame darbe susisteminti ir palyginti pagrindiniai grunto standumo koeficientų nustatymo metodai. Aprašoma metodika, kaip iš grunto santykinio tankio galima apskaičiuoti dinaminį bei statinį tamprumo modulius. Pateikiamos šių grunto parametrų koreliacinės priklausomybės. Eksperimentiniais tyrimais įrodyta, kad silpnuose gruntuose egzistuoja netiesinė grunto tamprumo modulio priklausomybė nuo šalia grunto esančios priekrovos. Priekrovą traktuojant kaip tiesiškai priklausančią nuo gylio, išvesta tamprumo modulio silpnuose gruntuose priklausomybė nuo gylio. Rezervuarų skaičiavimui buvo pasinaudota 2 panašių konstrukcijų skaičiavimo metodikomis (tunelių metodika bei vamzdžių m.). Taip pat pasinaudota СНиП 2.06.09-84 tunelių projektavimo nurodymais. Konstrukcija sumodeliuota projektavimo programomis Robot Structural Analysis Pro, SCAD, Plaxis 2D. Taip pat pateiktas patobulintas modelis, atramas išskirstant į ploto vienetą, autoriaus nuomone, tinkamesnėmis plonasienėms mažo standumo konstrukcijoms. Skaičiuotiniuose modeliuose įvertinami visi pagrindiniai rezervuarų konstrukciniai elementai: galiniai kupolai, lengvosios sąstandos, špangautai. Laboratoriniais bandymais nustatytos ir įvertintos polimerinio kompozito konstrukcinės savybės: virtualus tamprumo modulis, Puasono koeficientas, valkšnumo koeficientas bei senėjimo faktorius. Išvadose apibendrinami rezultatai, taip pat suformuojami pasiūlymai, naudingi tolesniems tiriamiesiems darbams, bei panašių konstrukcijų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]
Main methods to determine subgrade reaction is systemized in this master thesis work. Determination of static and dynamic deformation modulus, when relative soil density is known, are also familiarized. Correlation between the parameters is given in section 2. Experiments were made to prove that there is a link between deformation modulus and surcharge. If surcharge depends linearly from depth, then a function was created to predict deformation modulus values in weak soil when depth varies. 2 similar construction (pipes and tunnels) methods were used to design a buried tank. Design model was created by these design programs: Robot Structural Analysis Pro, SCAD, and PLAXIS 2D. An additional tank modelling method has been suggested by the author. Supports were assigned in plane instead of in a straight line. The updated model seems to better fit for low stiffness construction materials like GRP composites. In these design models all common tank structural elements were included: longitude domes, light and heavy stiffeners, orthotropic material. Main design parameters like virtual elastic modulus, Poisson ratio, creep factor, factor of durability. Results are summarized in conclusions. Suggestions were provided to help future researchers and designers with this kind of problems: structural design of composite polymer structures, design of buried thin-shelled tanks and evaluation of deformation modulus.

This PhD thesis employed high energy synchrotron x-ray radiation to reveal atomic scale structural features occurring in plastically deformed Zr52.5Ti5Cu18Ni14.5Al10 (Vit105) bulk metallic glass (BMG). The study is divided into three parts: Strain evolution during in-situ compression, strain distribution maps in mechanically-imprinted BMG, and residual strain around a single shear band. 1. Strain evolution during in-situ compression The structural rearrangements occurring during compressive deformation of a plastically deformable BMG showed that the elastic and plastic deformation of the BMG is correlated to the structural changes at short- (SRO) and medium range order (MRO). In the elastic regime, the atomic distances at SRO vary linearly with macroscopic stress. Analysis of the area under radial distribution function indicates that a small fraction of bonds in the first shell is broken in the loading direction whereas some new bonds are formed in the transverse direction. Atomic bonds at SRO appeared significantly stiffer than the MRO shells. Compared to the macroscopic values of the elastic strain, Young’s modulus and Poisson's ratio, both SRO and MRO appeared significantly stiffer, implying that the elastic behavior of the BMG is not only ruled by simple compression of the atoms/clusters but also is aided by rearrangement of atoms/clusters. The deviation of MRO atomic strain-stress correlation from linearity at the onset of plastic deformation was attributed to the activation of irreversible shear transformation zones. It was demonstrated by a strong shear strain value at the onset of yielding. This value is in good agreement with the reported value of the critical shear strain needed for activation of an irreversible STZ. The length scale of 12.5 Å indicated the largest shear strain and is probably the most effective length scale in the formation of STZs. The atomic pairs at SRO with smallest shear strain have the least contribution to the STZs. It was also indicated that the typical fracture angle of this BMG can be explained by the orientation of maximum shear strain at the onset of catastrophic shear band formation. 2. Strain distribution map in mechanically-imprinted BMG In mechanical imprinting, the BMG plate is loaded between two tools with a regular array of linear teeth and, as a result, a regular pattern of linear imprints is created on the surface of the plate. Mechanically imprinting results in considerable tensile plasticity of brittle Vit105 BMG plate. The distribution of hardness and Young’s modulus values at the transverse cross section of imprinted plate probed via nanoindentation revealed oscillating soft and hard regions beneath the surface. Spatially-resolved strain maps obtained via high-energy nano-size beam X-ray diffraction exhibited that the plastic deformation during imprinting creates a spatially heterogeneous atomic arrangement, consisting of strong compressive and tensile strain fields as well as significant shear strain fields in the cross section. It was shown that the heat treatment diminishes the heterogeneous structure resulting in brittle behavior in tension. The analysis of strain tensor components based on changes in the first diffraction maximum of the structure function, q1, revealed that Ɛx, the strain perpendicular to the loading direction, changes from the compressive at near to the surface to the tensile mode at the center of the imprinted plate. In contrast, the strain component along the loading direction, Ɛy, changes from tensile near the surface to the compressive at the center. Beneath the surface, Ɛx reaches to values about 1.5% under the imprints where there is a negligible Ɛy. The distribution map of principal strains, Ɛ1 and Ɛ2, indicated that large regions with compressive Ɛ1 and Ɛ2 exist under the imprints which can result in blocking of the propagating shear bands in agreement with microstructural observations of shear banding after uniaxial tension. Moreover, the region beneath the border of the imprinted and un-imprinted parts has the highest residual shear strain. Microstructural observations indicated that such regions can nucleate new shear bands upon tensile loading of imprinted BMG plate. 3. Residual strain around a single shear band In order to probe structural changes in the shear-induced zone around a single shear band, the distribution of residual strains at short- and medium-range order around a single shear band was determined in cold-rolled BMG plate using the nano-focused high energy x-ray diffraction. Plastic deformation results in significant residual normal and shear strains at distances of more than 15 μm around the shear band. The residual normal strains exhibit an asymmetric distribution whereas the residual shear strain is distributed symmetrically around the shear band. The large amount of residual atomic shear strain magnitude at the vicinity of the shear band triggers the nucleation of the new shear bands. The coincidence of the direction of the nucleating secondary shear bands from the main shear band with the orientation of the residual shear strain at the vicinity of the mature shear band highlight the dominant role of the shear strain in determining further plastic deformation at regions near the shear band
Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wird hochenergetische Synchrotron Röntgenstrahlung zum Aufzeigen der strukturellen Veränderungen in plastisch verformtem Zr52.5Ti5Cu18Ni14.5Al10 metallischen Glas verwendet. Die Arbeit gliedert sich in drei Teile: Dehnungsentwicklung während in-situ Druckversuch, Dehnungsverteilung eines mechanisch geprägten massiven metallischen Glases, und Restdehnungen in der Umgebung eines einzenen Scherbandes. 1. Dehnungsentwicklung während in-situ Druckversuch Die während der Verformung auftretende strukturelle Neuordnung eines plastisch verformbaren metallischen Glases zeigt die Korrelation der elastischen und plastischen Verformung mit den strukturellen Änderungen in den Größenordnungen der Nah- (SRO) und mittelreichweitigen Ordnung (MRO). Im elastischen Bereich verändern sich die Atomabstände in der SRO linear mit der makroskopisch anliegenden Spannung. Die Untersuchung der Fläche unter der Radialen Verteilungsfunktion (RDF) deutet auf ein Aufbrechen eines geringen Anteils der Bindungen der ersten Schale in Druckspannungsrichtung und deren Neubildung quer dazu. Die atomaren Bindungen in der SRO erscheinen wesentlich steifer als in den MRO Schalen. Vergleicht man die Werte von elastischer Dehnung, E-Modul und Querkontraktionszahl mit ihren makroskopischen Gegenstücken erscheinen beide, SRO und MRO, wesentlich steifer. Dies zeigt, dass die elastische Verformung von metallischen Gläsern nicht nur von der einfachen Stauchung der Atome bzw. Atomgruppen bestimmt, sondern auch durch deren Neuanordnung unterstützt wird. Das Abweichen der Dehnungs-Spannungs-Korrelation vom linearen Verhalten in der MRO am Beginn der plastischen Verformung wird der irreversiblen Bildung von Schertransformations-zonen (STZ) zugeschrieben. Dies zeigt sich zudem in den erhöhten Scherdehnungswerten am Beginn der Dehngrenze, welche mit den in der Literatur berichteten Werten für die kritische Scherdehnung zum Bilden einer STZ übereinstimmen. Bei einem Atomabstand von 12,5 Å tritt der höchste Wert der Scherdehnung auf und markiert den effektivsten Längenbereich der STZ Bildung. Andererseits haben die atomaren Paare in der SRO mit der geringsten Scherdehnung den geringsten Beitrag an der STZ. Es zeigt sich außerdem, dass der typische Bruchwinkel dieses metallischen Glases über die Orientierung der maximalen Scherdehnung am Beginn der kritischen Scherbandbildung erklärt werden kann. 2. Dehnungsverteilung eines mechanisch geprägten massiven metallischen Glases Eine Prägung besteht darin, eine Platte metallischen Glases mit zwei Stempel, auf denen eine regelmäßige Anordnung von geradlinigen Kerben angebracht ist, zu belasten. Dadurch wird eine ebenso regelmäßige Anordnung von geradlinigen Kerben auf der Oberfläche des metallischen Glases erzeugt. Die plastische Verformbarkeit der Vit105 Platte im Zugversuch wird durch Prägung im Vergleich zur gegossenen Probe eindeutig verbessert. Die Untersuchung der Härte und des E-Moduls über den Querschnitt der geprägten Probe zeigt die Einbringung von Abwechselnd weichen und harten Regionen an der Oberfläche. Es wurden räumlich aufgelöste Dehnungskarten des geprägten metallischen Glases durch Beugung eines hochenergetischen nanometergroßen Röntgenstrahles erzeugt. Die Ergebnisse offenbaren, dass die durch Prägung eingebrachte plastische Verformung eine räumlich heterogene Atomanordnung erzeugt, welche aus starken Druck- und Zugdehnungsfeldern besteht. Zusätzlich wird eine signifikante Scherdehnung in die Probe eingebracht. Die Wärmebehandlung beseitigt diese heterogene Struktur und führt sie fast auf den Ausgangszustand zurück. Die Analyse der Dehnungstensorkomponenten basierend auf Änderungen im erstem Maximum des Strukturfaktors, q1, zeigt, dass sich Ɛx von der Oberfläche zur Mitte der Platte hin von einer Stauchung in eine Dehnung umwandelt. Im Gegensatz dazu wandelt sich die Komponente Ɛy von der Oberfläche zur Mitte der Platte hin von einer Dehnung in eine Stauchung um. An der Oberfläche unter den Eindrücken, wo Ɛy vernachlässigbar ist, erreicht Ɛx Werte von ca. 1.5 %. Die Verteilungskarten der Hauptdehnungen zeigt, dass beide e1 und e2 unterhalb der Kerben als Stauchungen vorhanden sind. Daraus resultiert das Blockieren und Ablenken der sich ausbreitenden Scherbänder, was an Zugproben im REM beobachtet werden kann. Weiterhin hat der Bereich an der Grenze der geprägten und nicht geprägten Regionen die höchste Restscherdehnung. Mikrostrukturelle Beobachtungen deuten darauf hin, dass solche Bereiche unter Zuglast Keimstellen für neue Scherbänder sind. 3. Restdehnungen in der Umgebung eines einzenen Scherbandes Es wurde ein einzelnes Scherband einer kaltgewalzte Platte mittels Beugung eines hochenergetischen nanometergroßen Röntgenstrahles untersucht. Die strukturellen Unterschiede in der scherinduzierten Zone um ein einzelnes Scherband werden durch die Verteilung der Restdehnungen in SRO und MRO bestimmt. Plastische Verformung führt zu signifikanten Restnormal- und Restscherdehnungen in Entfernungen von mehr als 15 µm um das Scherband. Die Restnormaldehnungen zeigen eine asymmetrische Verteilung, wohingegen die Restscherdehnungen auf beiden Seiten des Scherbandes symmetrisch verteilt sind. Der große Betrag der atomaren Restscherdehnung in der Nähe des Scherbandes führt zur Bildung von neuen Scherbändern. Das Zusammenfallen der Richtung des sich bildenden sekundären Scherbandes und der Orientierung der Restscherdehnung, in der Nähe des primären Scherbandes, demonstriert die dominierende Rolle der Scherdehnung bei weiterer plastischer Verformung in der Nähe des Scherbandes

In reality, dynamic response of a structure supported on a compliant soil may vary significantly from the response of same structure when supported on a rigid base. A parametric study is conducted for the analysis of the variation in the global and the local deformation demands caused by the inertial soil-structure interaction effects. For the purposes of the study, nonlinear dynamic analyses are performed on 7 steel moment-resisting frame models, which are prepared by the virtue of fixed-base and flexible-base (interacting) conditions. Foundation is modeled with the Truncated Cone Model (Wolf, 1994) with the frequency independent coefficients. Free-field earthquake acceleration records are selected to conform to NEHRP equivalent Site Classes C and D. The study is limited to the structures founded on surface rigid mat foundations subjected to vertically propagating horizontally polarized coherent shear waves. Statistical analysis based on multiple linear regression procedure is performed to represent the variation in the response. Within the scope of the study, the wave parameter and the aspect ratio are observed to be directly proportional to the variation in the response, as a general trend. Maximum beneficial contribution of the SSI is found to be 6% in both global and local deformation demands. In addition, the contribution of inertial interaction effects is found to be in a decreasing trend for the increasing levels of ductility demands. Finally, upper limits of wave parameter for H/R=0.5, 1, 2 and 3 are calculated where the variation in the demands are capped at 1.0.

The aim of the present thesis is to provide an e ffective computational framework for the analysis and quantifi cation of the longitudinal structural changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The framework is based on the diffeomorphic non-rigid registration parameterized by stationary velocity fields (SVFs), and is hierachically developed to account for the diff erent levels of variability which characterize the longitudinal observations of T1 brain magnetic resonance images (MRIs). We developed an effi cient and robust method for the quantifi cation of the structural changes observed between pairs of MRIs. For this purpose, we propose the LCC-Demons registration framework which implements the local correlation coeffi cient as similarity metric, and we derived consistent and numerically stable measures of volume change and boundary shift for the regional assessment of the brain atrophy. In order to consistently analyze group-wise longitudinal evolutions, we then investigated the parallel transport of subject-specifi c deformation trajectories across di fferent anatomical references. Based on the SVF parametrization of diffeomorphisms, we relied on the Lie group theory to propose new and effective strategies for the parallel transport of SVFs, with particular interest into the practical application to the registration setting. These contributions are the basis for the defi nition of qualitative and quantitative analysis for the pathological evolution of AD. We proposed several analysis frameworks which addressed the di fferentiation of pathological evolutions between clinical populations, the statistically powered evaluation of regional volume changes, and the clinical diagnosis at the early/prodromal disease stages.

Normal fault zones play a fundamental role in the development of sedimentary basins and in the migration and trapping of hydrocarbons. The idealised geometry of an isolated post-sedimentary normal fault (Barnett, 1987, Walsh & Watterson, 1989) existing conceptual models that describe the process of fault growth and linkage in brittle systems (Childs et al, 1995; Cartwright et al, 1996; Childs et al, 1995, 1996b; Huggins et al, 1995), where fault planes composed of many overstepping segments are linked by areas of complex deformation called relay ramps, are generally accepted. Relay zones can trap significant volumes of hydrocarbon or act as leakage points, thus understanding the style of fault linkage, which strongly influences the location of hydrocarbon tops and reservoir compartmentalisation, is vital for any petroleum system.

Les structures textiles tendues sont generalement considerees comme instables. Leur instabilite depend de l'etat de contraintes dans la structure avant application des charges externes. De ce fait, un interet particulier est accorde a l'etude de l'equilibre de ces structures avant et apres application des chargements climatiques. Ce travail est divise en deux parties: ? dans la premiere partie, differents aspects de l'equivalence entre la membrane et un reseau de cables sont abordes. Une extension de la methode des densites de force est etablie pour tenir compte de la membrane orthotrope. La methode des densites de force adoptee pour la definition de formes spatiales conduit a l'obtention de structures en equilibre sans calcul des deformations elastiques. Les formes mises a plat sont rectifiees selon les caracteristiques mecaniques du materiau. Une nouvelle methode est proposee pour determiner les decoupes initiales (rectifiees). Le modele developpe est lineaire et se limite au traitement des structures dites a contraintes isotropes. ? la deuxieme partie est consacree a l'etude du comportement non lineaire des toiles tendues soumises a des sollicitations quelconques. Etant donne la faible rigidite en flexion des toiles techniques, la structure spatiale de forme gauche est representee par un modele membranaire. Les calculs elements finis sont effectues dans le domaine des zones en compression. Une nouvelle technique est proposee afin d'ameliorer la vitesse de convergence du processus iteratif pour les structures initialement non-precontraintes (hypostatiques)

This thesis is focused on design of the turbine housing CAD model applicable for mixed flow turbine. It also deals with strength analysis of designed turbine housing. The aim of the thesis is to create a three-dimensional turbine housing model accompanied by drawings.

Une approche pluri-disciplinaire sur la carte géologique à 1/50000 de Saint-André-de Valborgne permet de replacer les Cévennes centrales au sein de la chaine varisque d'Europe occidentale. Ce secteur est constitué de séries présumées paléozoïques affectées par la déformation varisque. L’analyse structurale et microstructurale permet la caractérisation de zones de cisaillement dans les séries schisteuses. Le mécanisme de déformation dominant dans ces zones ou les exsudats de quartz sont très abondants est la dissolution-cristallisation. Ces zones de cisaillement définissent une structuration des Cévennes en duplex à vergence S à SE. En tenant compte de cette géométrie, un nouveau log stratigraphique est proposé. L’étude thermo-barométrique sur les paragenèses minérales et des inclusions fluides indique que la déformation est contemporaine d'un métamorphisme sous des conditions de 500 ±12°C et 4,3 ±0,4Kb date dans la littérature entre 340 et 330 Ma. Ces chevauchements sont associés aux processus d'épaississement crustal. L’exhumation des nappes s'accompagne d'une chute de pression et de température. Au cours de cette exhumation, les gradients géothermiques sont d'au minimum 50/km. Par la suite, les Cévennes sont affectés par une extension contemporaine d'intrusions de granodiorites entre 330 et 290 Ma, d'une déformation fragile entre 300 et 280 Ma et de la formation du bassin sédimentaire d'Alès à cette même période. La direction de cette extension varie dans le temps de ENE-WSW à NNE-SSW. L'ensemble du scenario proposé s'intègre dans le modèle d'évolution de la branche sud de la chaine varisque d'Europe occidentale. D’après les modélisations analogiques d'une lithosphère en extension nous proposons que les Cévennes constituent un secteur affecté de manière fragile en horst et grabens au sein duquel les structures compressives sont conservées.

Nanocomposites with expandable smectites such as montmorillonite layered silicates (MLS) in polymer matrices have attracted extensive application interest. Numerous MLS concentrations have been used with no particular justification. Here, we investigate the effects of MLS dispersion within the matrix and on mechanical performance. The latter is resolved through a three-prong investigation on rate dependent tensile results, time dependent creep results and the influence of a sharp notch in polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites. A fixed concentration of maleated polypropylene (mPP) was utilized as a compatibilizer between the MLS and non-polar PP. Analysis of transmission electron micrographs and X-ray diffraction patterns on the surface and below the surface of our samples revealed a unique skin-core effect induced by the presence of clay. Differential scanning calorimetric and polarized optical microscopic examination of spherulites sizes showed changes in nucleation and growth resulting from both the maleated PP compatibilizer and the MLS. These structural changes resulted in a tough nanocomposite, a concept not reported before in the PP literature. Nonlinear creep analysis of the materials showed two concentrations 3 and 5 % wt of PP, which reduced the compliance in the base PP. The use of thermal wave imaging allowed the identification of ductile failure among materials, but more important, aided the mapping of the elastic and plastic contributions. These are essential concepts in fracture analysis.

In this work, a finite element formulation and associated computer program is developed for the transient large deformation analysis of laminated composite plate/shell structures. In order to satisfy the plate/shell surface traction boundary conditions and to have accurate stress description while maintaining the low cost of the analysis, a newly assumed displacement field theory is formulated by adding higher-order terms to the transverse displacement component of the first-order shear deformation theory. The laminated shell theory is formulated using the Updated Lagrangian description of a general continuum-based theory with assumptions on thickness deformation. The transverse deflection is approximated through the thickness by a quartic polynomial of the thickness coordinate. As a result both the plate/shell surface tractions (including nonzero tangential tractions and nonzero normal pressure) and the interlaminar shear stress continuity conditions at interfaces are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the rotational degree of freedoms become layer dependent quantities and the laminate possesses a transverse deformation capability (i.e. the normal strain is no longer zero). Analytical integration through the thickness direction is performed for both the linear analysis and the nonlinear analysis. Resultants of the stress integrations are expressed in terms of the laminate stacking sequence. Consequently, the laminate characteristics in the normal direction can be evaluated precisely and the cost of the overall analysis is reduced. The standard Newmark method and the modified Newton Raphson method are used for the solution of the nonlinear dynamic equilibrium equations. Finally, a variety of numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the finite element program developed herein.
Ph. D.

The structure of basement-cored uplift mountains is fundamentally controlled by the geometry of the basement and the basement unconformity. In the Sierra de Hualfin, an uplift located in the Sierras Pampeanas of NW Argentina, the well-exposed basement unconformity displays along-strike structural variations. The Sierra de Hualfin is composed of a core of Ordovician granitoid overlain by and thrust over Tertiary sedimentary rocks. The range is uplifted by an east-directed thrust fault, creating a steep range-front on the east and a gently dipping backlimb on the west. In the central region, however, basement and cover rocks in the backlimb are folded. Cross sections across the uplift and a three-dimensional computer model show that the variations along strike are due to differences in the geometry of the underlying fault or faults that deform the basement unconformity. Analysis of the folded basement unconformity on the west side of Sierra de Hualfin shows that brittle processes of faulting, cataclasis and fracture foliation help the basement attain a folded form. Pervasive and continuous joint fractures, and an unconformity-parallel fracture foliation at the surface, set up a condition for "flow" of granitic materials. Additionally, in order for basement to fold, the tip of the underlying fault must be located within the basement before it begins propagating towards the surface. Using the knowledge gained from the detailed structural studies, two regional cross sections were constructed in the region of Sierra de Hualfin, showing spatial and geometric relations between the adjacent uplifts, and the thrust systems of the eastern Puna Plateau. The cross sections show detachment levels at 16 km and ∼27 km for uplifts in the northern Sierras Pampeanas. Thrust faults of the northern Sierras Pampeanas, and of the eastern edge of the Puna can be interpreted as part of the same east-directed thrust system, with intervening west-directed backthrust development. The combination of the modeling of Sierra de Hualfin and the regional cross sections with detachments at 16 to 27 km depth suggests that basement-cored uplifts can be formed by gently-dipping faults detaching in the middle crust and near the base of the crust.

One of the most vital duties for engineers is to preserve life and nature by utilising safe designs that take into account environmental standards and monitoring the performance of structures against design criteria. Furthermore, monitoring can be used to determine any required maintenance of an important structure following a catastrophic event. Numerous different techniques and instruments can be employed for such a purpose with different requirements producing different results. For instance, some techniques need to embed sensors inside the building, such as Geotechnical Sensors. Others can offer high quality, but with a low point density and require fixed stations and targets, like Total Stations (TS). In such cases, the location of deformation tends to be known, such as in dams, bridges, and high-rise buildings. However, this is not always the case where it might be hard to expect deformation location as in the case of historic ruins where each part of the structure could be subject to deformation. The challenge in such case is to detect the deformation without any previous knowledge. Remote Sensing (RS) techniques, such as Digital Photogrammetry, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), and Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) can be solutions for such an issue. Interestingly, many researchers are focusing on using TLS for monitoring owing to the great spatial resolution system can offer. However, there are three challenges in using TLS in monitoring: the first one is a huge amount of data and the difficulty of handling it; the second one is the difficulty of comparing between two epochs because observations of TLS are not repeatable; and the third issue is the noise which is attached to the data. The first problem is solved by segmentation and point structure while the second and the third ones still need more investigation, although some interesting researches have been done in this area. The aim of this research is to develop a new approach to detect and localise unpredictable deformation. It is based on TLS measurements and Generalised Procrustes Analysis (GPA) techniques to determine deformation vectors, while boxing structure and F-test are used to detect and localise deformation. In summary, after applying this approach, the whole concerned building is represented as parts, for each of which the displacement vector and the deformation probability are estimated. Ultimately, it is possible to monitor any part through different epochs. In addition, through this technique, it is possible to determine deformations - not just between two epochs, but for sequences of them. This can give more reliable results. Four validation experiments have been conducted. The first test was designed to assess the performance of the developed software and to fix some variables. Therefore, it was based on simulated data with controlled white noise, distributed according to the normal distribution, and simulated deformations. The results of this test revealed the success of the proposed algorithm to detect and to localise deformations. In addition, it showed the success when no deformations exist. Furthermore, optimistically, it could observe deformations with magnitude less than the noise level; however, the probability was only 40%. Correspondingly, real scan data with simulated deformations was used in the second test. The purpose of this test is to examine the performance of the proposed method in case of real errors budget. However, the short range of the test (about 10m), a featureless scanned area (wall only), and scanning from one position for all epochs (no need for registration) can reduce errors to a minimum. Results of this test showed the success of the proposed method to detect and localise deformations. Potentially, it can give indications for areas with deformations less than the noise level. Furthermore, results of the proposed method can be considered better than that of CloudCompare software. The third test was conducted to examine the performance of the proposed technique regarding different materials and textures. For this purpose, the Nottingham Geospatial Building (NGB) was selected with more extensive ranges (between 20-25 m). Similar to the second test, all measurements were taken from the same scanner position. To some extent, the proposed technique succeeded to detect and to localise deformations. However, the researcher does not recommend it for monitoring modern and complicated buildings, instead it has been developed for monitoring historic ruins. Finally, the proposed method was applied on the Bellmanpark Limekiln, Clitheroe, Lancashire monitoring project. This is a live project for Historic England and addresses a historic building that currently has some structural issues. The outcome of the proposed method revealed deformations in the faces South East (SE) and North East (NE). From examining these faces, three deformed areas were found: two in the face SE and one in the face NE, which might cause some cracks appeared in these faces. Alternatively, the CloudCompare software has been employed to detect deformation. Although results coincide with the proposed method for detected deformations, it cannot locate these deformations very well because it diffused over a wide area. In addition, it cannot determine actual directions of the deformations unlike the proposed method.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 235-241). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Includes bibliographical references.
The geometries of the ML₅ fragments in 196 five-coordinate metal complexes (M = Ni(II), Pd(II), Pt(II), Rh(I), Ir(I); L = coordinated ligand atom) have been studied using multi-variate statistical techniques. For each molecular fragment the geometry has been precisely described by two sets of twelve non-redundant symmetry coordinates.

Geogrid reinforced structures have been successfully used for over 25 years. However their design procedures have remained largely focused on ultimate failure mechanisms, originally developed for steel reinforcements. These are widely considered over conservative in determining realistic reinforcement and lateral earth stresses. The poor understanding of deformation performance led many design codes to restrict acceptable soils to selected sand and gravel fills, where deformation is not as concerning. Within UK construction there is a drive to reduce wastage, improve efficiency and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions. For geogrid reinforced structures this could mean increasing reinforcement spacing and reusing weaker locally sourced soils. Both of these strategies increase deformation, raising concern about the lack of understanding and reliable guidance. As a result they fail to fulfil their efficiency potential. This Engineering Doctorate improved the understanding of horizontal deformation by analysing performance using laboratory testing, laser scanning industry structures and numerical modelling. Full-scale models were used to demonstrate a reduction in deformation by decreasing reinforcement spacing. Their results were combined with primary and secondary case studies to create a diverse database. This was used to validate a finite element model, differentiating between two often used construction methods. Its systematic analysis was extended to consider the deformation consequences of using low shear strength granular fills. The observations offered intend to reduce uncertainty and mitigate excessive deformations, which facilitates the further optimisation of designs.

Trois modules seront développés: Le module de détection a produit une analyse des problématiques figurations con, à savoir un ensemble de domaines où soit quelques nouveaux DDL ou des changements locaux dans les contraintes sont obligatoires. Le module de traitement permettra à la défi nition des mécanismes pour aider la décision sur modi cations. Le module de prédiction dire le degré de déformation en pré-analyser les caractéristiques des configurations de NURBS
Three modules will be developed: The detection module has produced an analysis of problematic con figurations, i.e. a set of areas where either some new DOFs or some local changes in the constraints are mandatory. The treatment module will enable the defi nition of mechanisms to help the decision on modi cations. The prediction module will tell the degree of deformation by pre-analyzing the features of NURBS configurations

In the present study, we propose a computational model for the linear and nonlinear analysis of shell structures. We consider a tensor-based finite element formulation which describes the mathematical shell model in a natural and simple way by using curvilinear coordinates. To avoid membrane and shear locking we develop a family of high-order elements with Lagrangian interpolations. The approach is first applied to linear deformations based on a novel and consistent third-order shear deformation shell theory for bending of composite shells. No simplification other than the assumption of linear elastic material is made in the computation of stress resultants and material stiffness coefficients. They are integrated numerically without any approximation in the shifter. Therefore, the formulation is valid for thin and thick shells. A conforming high-order element was derived with 0 C continuity across the element boundaries. Next, we extend the formulation for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of multilayered composites and functionally graded shells. Again, Lagrangian elements with high-order interpolation polynomials are employed. The flexibility of these elements mitigates any locking problems. A first-order shell theory with seven parameters is derived with exact nonlinear deformations and under the framework of the Lagrangian description. This approach takes into account thickness changes and, therefore, 3D constitutive equations are utilized. Finally, extensive numerical simulations and comparisons of the present results with those found in the literature for typical benchmark problems involving isotropic and laminated composites, as well as functionally graded shells, are found to be excellent and show the validity of the developed finite element model. Moreover, the simplicity of this approach makes it attractive for future applications in different topics of research, such as contact mechanics, damage propagation and viscoelastic behavior of shells.

Theoretical formulations, analytical solutions, and finite element solutions for laminated composite plate and shell structures with smart material laminae are presented in the study. A unified third-order shear deformation theory is formulated and used to study vibration/deflection suppression characteristics of plate and shell structures. The von K??rm??n type geometric nonlinearity is included in the formulation. Third-order shear deformation theory based on Donnell and Sanders nonlinear shell theories is chosen for the shell formulation. The smart material used in this study to achieve damping of transverse deflection is the Terfenol-D magnetostrictive material. A negative velocity feedback control is used to control the structural system with the constant control gain. The Navier solutions of laminated composite plates and shells of rectangular planeform are obtained for the simply supported boundary conditions using the linear theories. Displacement finite element models that account for the geometric nonlinearity and dynamic response are developed. The conforming element which has eight degrees of freedom per node is used to develop the finite element model. Newmark's time integration scheme is used to reduce the ordinary differential equations in time to algebraic equations. Newton-Raphson iteration scheme is used to solve the resulting nonlinear finite element equations. A number of parametric studies are carried out to understand the damping characteristics of laminated composites with embedded smart material layers.

A frame is a possibly linearly dependent set of vectors in a Hilbert space that facilitates the decomposition and reconstruction of vectors. A Parseval frame is a frame that acts as its own dual frame. A Gabor frame comprises all translations and phase modulations of an appropriate window function. We show that the space of all frames on a Hilbert space indexed by a common measure space can be fibrated into orbits under the action of invertible linear deformations and that any maximal set of unitarily inequivalent Parseval frames is a complete set of representatives of the orbits. We show that all such frames are connected by transformations that are linear in the larger Hilbert space of square-integrable functions on the indexing space. We apply our results to frames on finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces and to the discretization of the Gabor frame with a band-limited window function.

Le deformazioni lente di versante in roccia (DGPV e grandi frane) sono fenomeni diffusi che interessano interi versanti e mobilizzano volumi di roccia anche di miliardi di metri cubi. La loro evoluzione è legata a processi di rottura progressiva sotto forzanti esterne e di accoppiamento idromeccanico, rispecchiate da un complesso processo di creep. Sebbene caratterizzate da bassi tassi di spostamento (fino a pochi cm / anno), queste instabilità di versante danneggiano infrastrutture e ospitano settori potenzialmente soggetti a differenziazione e collasso catastrofico. È quindi necessaria una robusta caratterizzazione del loro stile di attività per determinare il potenziale impatto sugli elementi a rischio e anticipare un eventuale collasso. Tuttavia una metodologia di analisi finalizzata a questo scopo è ancora mancante. In questa prospettiva, abbiamo sviluppato un approccio multiscala che integra dati morfostrutturali, di terreno e tecniche DInSAR, applicandoli allo studio di un inventario di 208 deformazioni lente di versanti mappate in Lombardia. Su questo dataset abbiamo eseguito una mappatura geomorfologica e morfostrutturale di semi dettaglio tramite immagini aeree e DEM. Abbiamo quindi sviluppato un pacchetto di procedure oggettive per lo screening su scala di inventario delle deformazioni lente di versante integrando dati di velocità di spostamento, cinematica e di danneggiamento dell’ammasso roccioso per ogni frana. Utilizzando dataset PS-InSAR e SqueeSAR, abbiamo sviluppato una procedura mirata a identificare in maniera semiautomatica la velocità InSAR rappresentativa, il grado di segmentazione e l'eterogeneità interna di ogni frana mappata identificando la presenza di possibili fenomeni secondari. Utilizzando la tecnica 2DInSAR e tecniche di machine learning, abbiamo inoltre sviluppato un approccio automatico caratterizzare la cinematica di ciascuna frana. I dati così ottenuti sono stati integrati tramite analisi di PCA e K-medoid per identificare gruppi di frane caratterizzati da stili di attività simili. Partendo dai risultati della classificazione su scala regionale, ci siamo poi concentrati su 3 casi di studio emblematici, le DGPV di Corna Rossa, Mt. Mater e Saline, rappresentativi di problematiche tipiche delle grandi frane (segmentazione spaziale, attività eterogenea, sensibilità alle forzanti idrologiche). Applicando un approccio DInSAR mirato abbiamo indagato la risposta del versante a diverse baseline temporali per evidenziare le eterogeneità spaziali e, tramite un nuovo approccio di stacking su basline temporali lunghe abbiamo estrattoi segnali di spostamento permanenti ed evidenziato i settori e le strutture con evoluzione differenziale. Lo stesso approccio DInSAR è stato utilizzato per studiare la sensibilità delle deformazioni lente di versante alle forzanti idrologiche. Il confronto tra i tassi di spostamento stagionale e le serie temporali di precipitazioni e scioglimento neve per il monte. Mater e Saline hanno delineato complessi trend di spostamento stagionale. Queste tendenze, più evidenti per i settori più superficiali, evidenziano una risposta maggiore a periodi prolungati di precipitazione modulati dagli effetti dello scioglimento della neve. Ciò suggerisce che le DGPV, spesso considerate non influenzate dalla forzante climatica a breve termine (pluriennale), sono sensibili a input idrologici, con implicazioni chiave nell'interpretazione del loro fallimento progressivo. I nostri risultati hanno dimostrato l'efficacia della metodologia multi-scala proposta, che sfrutta i prodotti DInSAR e l'analisi mirata per identificare, classificare e caratterizzare l'attività delle deformazioni lente di versante includendo dati geologici in tutte le fasi dell'analisi. Il nostro approccio, è applicabile a diversi contesti e dataset e fornisce gli strumenti per indagare processi chiave in uno studio finalizzato alla definizione del rischio connesso alle deformazioni lente di versante.
Slow rock slope deformations (DSGSDs and large landslides) are widespread, affect entire hillslopes and displace volumes up to billions of cubic meters. They evolve over long time by progressive failure processes, under variable climatic and hydro-mechanical coupling conditions mirrored by a complex creep behaviour. Although characterized by low displacement rates (up to few cm/yr), these slope instabilities damage sensitive structures and host nested sectors potentially undergoing rockslide differentiation and collapse. A robust characterization of the style of activity of slow rock slope deformations is required to predict their interaction with elements at risk and anticipate possible failure, yet a comprehensive methodology to this aim is still lacking. In this perspective, we developed a multi-scale methodology integrating geomorphological mapping, field data and different DInSAR techniques, using an inventory of 208 slow rock slope deformations in Lombardia (Italian Central Alps), for which we performed a geomorphological and morpho-structural mapping on aerial images and DEMs. On the regional scale, we developed an objective workflow for the inventory-scale screening of slow-moving landslides. The approach is based on a refined definition of activity that integrates the displacement rate, kinematics and degree of internal damage for each landslide. Using PS-InSAR and SqueeSAR datasets, we developed an original peak analysis of InSAR displacement rates to characterize the degree of segmentation and heterogeneity of mapped phenomena, highlight the occurrence of sectors with differential activity and derive their characteristic displacement rates. Using 2DInSAR velocity decomposition and machine learning classification, we set up an original automatic approach to characterize the kinematics of each landslides. Then, we sequentially combine PCA and K-medoid cluster analysis to identify groups of landslides characterized by consistent styles of activity, accounting for all the relevant aspects including velocity, kinematics, segmentation, and internal damage. Starting from the results of regional-scale classification, we focused on the Corna Rossa, Mt. Mater and Saline DSGSDs, that are emblematic case studies on which apply DInSAR analysis to investigate typical issues in large landslide studies (spatial segmentation, heterogenous activity, sensitivity to hydrological triggers). We applied a targeted DInSAR technique on multiple temporal baselines to unravel the spatial heterogeneities of complex DSGSDs and through a novel stacking approach on raw long temporal baseline interferograms, we outlined the permanent displacement signals and sectors with differential evolution as well as individual active structures. We then used DInSAR to investigate the possible sensitivity of slow rock slope deformations to hydrological triggers. Comparison between seasonal displacement rates, derived by interferograms with targeted temporal baselines, and time series of precipitation and snowmelt at the Mt. Mater and Saline ridge outlined complex temporally shifted seasonal displacement trends. These trends, more evident for shallower nested sectors, outline dominant controls by prolonged precipitation periods modulated by the effects of snowmelt. This suggests that DSGSDs, often considered insensitive to short-term (pluri-annual) climatic forcing, may respond to hydrological triggering, with key implication in the interpretation of their progressive failure. Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed multi-scale methodology that exploits DInSAR products and targeted processing to identify, classify and characterize the activity of slow rock slope deformation at different levels of details by including geological data in all the analysis stages. Our approach, readily applicable to different settings and datasets, provides the tools to solve key scientific issues in a geohazard-oriented study of slow rock slope deformations.

Two different soils may be generated from open-pit mining: lumpy soils with a granular structure and clay mixtures, depending on the length of the conveyor belt and the strength of the original soils. Lumpy soils may be created for a high strength of the excavated soils. They are dumped as landfills without any compaction, which permits the water and air flows via the inter-lump voids. As a result, a new structure consisting of the lumps and reconstituted soil within the inter-lump voids can be created. However, if the original soil has a low strength or a long transportation takes place, the material may disintegrate into small lumps and thoroughly mix soils from different layers. Landfills consisting of clay mixtures arise in this way. The stability and deformation of landfills are crucial for design of occupied area and landfill slopes. For this reason, three different landfill materials will be investigated in this thesis: (1) the lumpy granular soil from fresh landfills, (2) the lumpy composite soil corresponding to old landfills and (3) clay mixtures. Firstly, an artificial lumpy soil was investigated. It is a transition form between the reconstituted and natural lumpy soils. Compression, permeability and strength of lumpy materials have been evaluated based on oedometer and triaxial tests. The shear strength of the normally consolidated lumpy specimens lies approximately on the Critical State Line of the reconstituted soil. The reconstituted soil, which exists in the inter-lump voids, plays a crucial role in the behaviour of artificial lumpy materials. Similarly to the artificial lumpy soil, inter-lump voids of the natural lumpy soil are mainly closed above a relatively small stress level, which is induced by the rearrangement of the lumps. However, its limit stress state is located above the Critical State Line of the reconstituted soil, which may be caused by the diagenetic soil structure in the natural lumps. The structure transition of the lumpy granular material can be divided into three possible stages related to the stress level. Firstly, the compressibility of a fresh lumpy is relativity high due to the closure of the inter-lump voids within a low stress range. In this stage, the hydraulic conductivity is mainly controlled by the inter-lump skeleton due to the existence of macro drainage paths, while the shear strength is controlled by the reconstituted soil around the lumps. Afterwards, its compressibility decreases with the consolidation stress and the soil behaves similarly to an overconsolidated soil. The clayfill appears to be uniform visually in this stage, but its structure is still highly heterogeneous and the hydraulic conductivity is higher than that of the reconstituted soil with the same overall specific volume. Finally, the loading reaches the preconsolidation stress of the lumps, and the whole soil volume becomes normally consolidated. Isotropically consolidated drained triaxial shear tests were performed on artificially prepared specimens with parallel and series structures. The laboratory tests show that the specimens with the series structure have the same failure mode as the constituent with the lower strength; the specimens with the parallel structure have a failure plane which crosses both constituents. As a result, the shear strength of the series specimens is only slightly higher than that of the constituent with the lower strength and the strength of the parallel specimens lies between those of the constituents. Afterwards, the behaviour of an artificial lumpy material with randomly distributed inclusions is investigated using the Finite Element Method. The computation results show that the stress ratio, defined as the ratio of the volume-average stress between the lumps and the reconstituted soil within the inter-lump voids, is significantly affected by both the volume fraction and the preconsolidation pressure of the lumps under an isotropic compression path, while the volume fraction of the lumps plays a minor role under a triaxial compression path. Based on the simulation results and analysis of the two basic configurations, a homogenization law was proposed utilizing the secant stiffnesses. The compression behavior of the lumpy composite soil was analyzed within the homogenization framework. Firstly, the volume of the composite soil was divided into four individual components. The inter-lump porosity was introduced to account for the evolution of the volume fractions of the constituents, and it was formulated as a function of the overall porosity and those of its constituents. A homogenization law was then proposed based on the analysis of the lumpy structure together with a numerical method, which gives a relationship for tangent stiffnesses of the lumpy soil and its constituents. Finally, a simple compression model was proposed for the composite lumpy material, which incorporates both the influence of the soil structure and the volume fraction change of the reconstituted soil. Furthermore, a general framework for the consolidation behaviour of the lumpy composite soil was proposed based on the double porosity concept and the homogenization theory. To describe the behaviour of lumps with low stress level, a new failure line was proposed with help of the equivalent Hvorslev pressure and critical state concept. The structure effect was incorporated into the nonlinear Hvorslev surface within sensitivity framework and the generalized Cam clay model proposed by McDowell and Hau (2003) was adopted on the wet side of the critical state. A secant stiffness, defined as the ratio between the deviatoric stress and deviatoric strain, was used in the homogenization law. Finally, a simple model for the natural lumpy soil was proposed within the homogenization framework. The physical properties, compression behaviour and remolded undrained shear strength of clay mixtures were investigated by reproducing the soils artificially in the lab. Afterwards, the models for the compression and undrained shear strength of clay mixtures were proposed. The model for the strength of the clay mixture originated from simplifying the structure of a clay mixture, in which the elements of the constituents are randomly distributed in a representative elementary volume. By defining a water content ratio (the ratio of water contents between the constituents), the undrained shear strength of each constituent was estimated separately and then combined together with corresponding volume fractions. A homogenization law was proposed afterwards based on the analysis of the randomly arranged structure. A simple compression model considering $N$ constituents was proposed within the homogenization framework, which was evaluated by a mixture with two constituents
In einem Tagebau können die feinkörnigen Böden in unterschiedlichen Zustandsformen entstehen. Dies sind zum einen klumpige Böden mit einer granular ähnlichen Struktur (Pseudokornstruktur) und einer hohen Konsistenzzahl und zum anderen Mischungen aus mehreren Tonen oder Schluffen mit niedriger Konsistenzzahl. Der Zustand wird dabei massgebend von dem Transport (z.B. Länge des Förderbandes) und dem Ausgangszustand (z.B. der Anfangsscherfestigkeit) beeinflusst. Klumpige Böden entstehen bei der Abbaggerung des natürlichen Materials auf der Abbauseite, welches eine hohe Festigkeit besitzt. Alle Böden werden normalerweise ohne Verdichtung verkippt, so entstehen bei der Verkippung von klumpigen Böden grosse Makro-Porenräume zwischen den Klumpen, welche sehr luft- bzw. wasserdurchlässig sind. Nach einiger Zeit entsteht eine neue Struktur aus den Klumpen und dem Material des sich von aussen auflösenden Klumpens, welches das Füllmaterial bildet. Wenn die Festigkeit des Ausgangsmaterials niedrig ist oder lange Transportwege stattfinden, zerfallen die Klumpen. Zudem werden die Böden von verschiedenen Schichten der Abbauseite unter einander gemischt, wodurch die Tongemische entstehen. Sowohl für die Dimensionierung und Berechnung der aus den Verkippungen entstehenden Tagebaurandböschungen sowie für eine spätere Nutzung des ehemaligen Tagebaugebietes ist die Kenntnisüber das Deformations- und Verformungsverhalten von Kippenböden notwendig. Daher wurden in dieser Arbeit Tagebauböden und ihr zeitlich veränderliches Verhalten untersucht. Dabei werden diese, bezugnehmend auf den Anfangszustand, in drei typische Materialien unterschieden: (1) der frisch verkippte klumpige Boden, (2) eine Mischung aus Klumpen und Füllmaterial, welche höhere Liegezeiten repräsentiert und (3) Mischungen von feinkörnigen Ausgangsböden. Zunächst wurden künstlich hergestellte klumpige Böden untersucht. Sie bilden eine Übergangsform zwischen aufbereiteten und natürlichen klumpigen Böden. Das Kompressions- und Scherverhalten sowie die Durchlässigkeit wurden an Ödometer und Triaxialversuchen bestimmt. Das Füllmaterial, welches die Makroporen zwischen den Klumpen füllt, spielt eine entscheidende Rolle für das Materialverhalten. Ähnlich wie bei den künstlich hergestellten klumpigen Böden schliessen sich auch bei den Böden im Tagebau die Makroporenschen bei niedrigen Spannungen. Dabei werden die Klumpen umgelagert. Allerdings befindet sich die Grenze des Spannungszustandes oberhalb der Critical State Line des Füllmaterials, was möglicherweise mit den unter Diagenese entstandenen Bodenstrukturen erklärt werden kann. Die Strukturänderung der klumpigen Böden kann aufgrund des Spannungsniveaus in drei mögliche Stufen unterteilt werden. Am Anfang ist die Kompressibilität der frischen verkippten Klumpen hoch, da sich die Makroporen bereits bei geringen Spannungen schliessen. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt sind auch die Durchlässigkeiten in erster Linie von den grossen Porenräumen der Makroporen, welche als Entwässerungspfade dienen, beeinflusst. Die Scherfestigkeit hingegen, wird durch die aufgeweichten Böden an den Oberflächen der Klumpen massgebend beeinflusst. Bei höheren Konsolidationspannungen sinkt die Kompressibilität und der Boden verhält sich wie einüberkonsolidierter Boden. Obwohl die Struktur aufgrund der veränderten Klumpenoberflächen zu diesem Zeitpunkt homogener wirkt, ist die Struktur noch heterogen und die Durchlässigkeit ist höher als bei einem aufbereiteten Boden mit gleichem spezifischem Volumen (Porenzahl). Letztendlich erreicht der aktuelle Spannungszustand den derüberkonsolidierten Klumpen und der gesamte Boden verhält sich wie ein normal konsolidierter Boden. Des Weiteren wurden isotrop konsolidierte drainierte Triaxialversuche an künstlich aus zwei Ausgangsmaterialien hergestellten Proben mit parallelen und seriellen Strukturen durchgeführt. Die Laborversuche zeigten, dass die Proben mit seriellem Aufbau dieselben Gleitflächen haben, wie der Ausgangsboden mit der niedrigeren Scherfestigkeit. Die Gleitfläche der Proben mit parallelen Strukturen verlief durch beide Materialien. Es wurde festgestellt, dass die Scherfestigkeit der seriell aufgebauten Proben geringfügig höher, als die des Bodens mit der niedrigeren Scherfestigkeit ist. Die Scherfestigkeit der parallel aufgebauten Proben liegt zwischen den beiden Ausgangsmaterialien. Danach wurde das Verhalten der künstlich erzeugten klumpigen Böden mit zufällig verteiltem Füllmaterial mit Hilfe der Finiten Elemente Methode verglichen. Die Simulationen zeigten, dass unter einer isotropen Kompressionsbelastung das Spannungsverhältnis, definiert aus dem Verhältnis der Spannung des Volumendurchschnitts zwischen den Klumpen und dem Füllmaterial, deutlich durch die Volumenanteile und die Vorkonsoliderungsspannung der Klumpen beeinflusst wird. Während das Volumenverhältnis eine untergeordnete Rolle in den in Triaxialzellen unter Scherung belasteten Proben spielt. Aus den Simulationsergebnissen und den Laborversuchen der beiden Grundkonfigurationen wurde ein Homogenisierungsgesetz abgeleitet, welches die Sekandensteifigkeiten verwendet. Das Kompressionsverhalten der Mischungen aus Klumpen und Füllmaterial wurde mit Blick auf die Homogenisierung analysiert. Zunächst kann das Volumen der Mischungen in 4 individuelle Komponentenanteile zerlegt werden. Die Makroporosität zwischen den Klumpen wurde zur Entwicklung der Volumenanteile des Füllmaterials eingeführt. Sie wurde als eine Funktion der totalen Porosität und der Materialien formuliert. Auf Grundlage einer theoretischen Analyse an klumpigen Böden und unter Zuhilfenahme einer numerischen Methode wird ein Gesetz zur Homogenisierung vorgeschlagen. Dieses enthält eine Beziehung zwischen der Tagentensteifigkeit der Klumpen und seinem Füllmaterial. Abschliessend wird ein einfaches Kompressionsmodel für die Mischung aus Klumpen und Füllmaterial vorgeschlagen, welches den Einfluss der Bodenstruktur und der Änderung des Volumenanteils des Füllmaterials berücksichtigt. Darüber hinaus wurde eine allgemeine Formulierung für das Konsolidationsverhalten der klumpigen Böden mit Füllmaterial vorgeschlagen, welche sich auf das Konzept der doppelten Porosität (Klumpen und Füllmaterial) und eine Homogenisierungstheoerie bezieht. Um das Verhalten der Klumpen bei niedrigen Spannungen zu beschreiben, wird eine neue Grenzbedingung unter Zuhilfenahme der äquivalenten Hvorslev-Spannung und des Criticial State Konzeptes vorgeschlagen. Der Struktureffekt für sensitive Böden wurde in die nichtlineare Hvorslev-Oberfläche eingebaut. Das allgemein gültige Cam-Clay-Model von McDowell und Hau (2003) wurde um die nasse Seite des Critical State Konzeptes erweitert. Eine Sekandensteifigkeit, definiert aus dem Verhältnis zwischen der Deviatorspannung und der Deviatordehnung, wurde für das Homogenisieurungsgesetz ebenfalls verwendet. Abschliessend wird ein Modell für natürliche klumpige Böden vorgestellt, welches auch eine Homogenisierung beinhaltet. Die physikalischen Eigenschaften, das Kompressionsverhalten und die undrainierten Scherfestigkeiten von aufbereiten Tongemischen wurden im Labor unter Herstellung künstlicher Bödengemische untersucht. Anschliessend wurde ein Kompressions- und Schermodell für aufbereitete Tongemische vorgeschlagen. Das Modell der Scherfestigkeit der Tongemische entstand aus der Vereinfachung der Tongemischstruktur, in welcher die Elemente der Ausgangsmaterialien zufällig in dem Einheitsvolumen verteilt sind. Werden Wassergehaltsverhältnisse (das Verhältnis der Wassergehalte der Ausgangsmaterialien) definiert, kann die undrainierte Scherfestigkeit für alle Bestandteile separat geschätzt werden und dannüber die Volumenanteile bestimmt werden. Ein Homogenisierungsgesetz wurde auf Grundlage der theoretischen Analyse von zufällig angeordneten Strukturen entwickelt. Ein einfaches Kompressionsmodell, welches N-Ausgangsmaterielien bzw. Tone und eine Homogenisierung enthält, wird vorgeschlagen, und an einer Mischung aus 2 Bestandteilen im Labor validiert

Never before has the car industry been as challenging, interesting, and demanding as it is today. New and advanced techniques are being continuously introduced, which has led to increasing competition in an almost ever-expanding car market. As the pace and complexity heightens in the car market, manufacturing processes must advance at an equal speed. An important manufacturing process within the automotive industry, and the focus of this thesis, is sheet metal forming (SMF). Sheet metal forming is used to create door panels, structural beams, and trunk lids, among other parts, by forming sheets of metal in press lines with stamping dies. The SMF process has been simulated for the past couple of decades with finite element (FE) simulations, whereby one can predict factors such as shape, strains, thickness, springback, risk of failure, and wrinkles. A factor that most SMF simulations do not currently include is the die and press elasticity. This factor is handled manually during the die tryout phase, which is often long and expensive. The importance of accurately representing press and die elasticity in SMF simulations is the focus of this research project. The research objective is to achieve virtual tryout and improved production support through SMF simulations that consider elastic die and press deformations. Loading a die with production forces and including the deformations in SMF simulations achieves a reliable result. It is impossible to achieve accurate simulation results without including the die deformations. This thesis also describes numerical methods for optimizing and compensating tool surfaces against press and die deformations. In order for these compensations to be valid, it is imperative to accurately represent dies and presses. A method of measuring and inverse modeling the elasticity of a press table has been developed and is based on digital image correlation (DIC) measurements and structural optimization with FE software. Optimization, structural analysis, and SMF simulations together with experimental measurements have immense potential to improve simulation results and significantly reduce the lead time of stamping dies. Last but not least, improved production support and die design are other areas that can benefit from these tools.
Aldrig tidigare har bilindustrin varit så utmanande, intressant och spännande som idag. Ny och avancerad teknik introduceras i en allt snabbare takt vilket leder till ständigt ökande konkurrens på en, nästan ständigt, ökande bilmarknad. Den ständigt ökande komplexiteten ställer även krav på tillverkningsprocesserna. En viktig process, som denna licentiatuppsats fokuserar på, är pressning av plåt. Tillverkningstekniken används för att forma plåtar till dörrpaneler, strukturbalkar, motorhuvar, etc. Plåtar formas med hjälp av pressverktyg monterade i plåtformningspressar. Plåtformningsprocessen simuleras sedan ett par decennium tillbaka med Finita Element (FE) simuleringar. Man kan på så sätt prediktera form, töjningar, tjocklek, återfjädring, rynkor, risk för försträckning och sprickor m.m. En faktor som för tillfället inte inkluderas i näst intill alla plåtformningssimuleringar är elastiska press- och verktygsdeformationer. Detta hanteras istället manuellt under, den oftast långa och dyra, inprovningsfasen. Detta projekt har visat på vikten av att representera press och verktygsdeformationer i plåtformningssimuleringar. Detta demonstreras genom en analys av ett verkligt pressverktyg som belastas med produktionskrafter. Det är inte möjligt att uppnå bra simuleringsresultat utan att inkludera verktygsdeformationer i simuleringsmodellen. Uppsatsen beskriver även numeriska metoder för att optimera och kompensera verktygsytor mot press och verktygsdeformationer. För att dessa kompenseringar ska stämma är det viktigt att man representerar både verktyg och press på ett korrekt sätt. Förslag på en metod för att mäta och inversmodellera pressdeformationer har utvecklats, metoden är baserad på mätningar med DIC-systemet ARAMIS och optimering i FE-mjukvaror. Optimering, strukturanalys, och plåtformningsanalys tillsammans med experimentella mätningar har en stor potential att förbättra plåtformningssimuleringar samt reducera ledtiden för pressverktyg. Sist men inte minst, andra positiva effekter är en enklare och smidigare konstruktionsprocess och förbättrad produktionssupport.

Etude neotectonique du tibet realisee dans le cadre de la cooperation scientifique franco-chinoise entre 1980 et 1982. Cartographie detaillee des feuilles actives, des decalages de la morphologie specialement glaciaire et l'analyse microtectonique: cinematique des mouvements combines de failles normales et decrochantes. L'extension au tibet est orientee de facon uniforme; elle est recente et rapide

Le socle hercynien au sud-ouest de clermont-ferrand comporte une serie volcano-sedimentaire. Des corps plutoniques y sont intrusifs et la metamorphisent. Diorites et gabbros resultent d'une lignee de differenciation calco-alcaline, avec des facies de cumulats. Les etudes geochimiques soulignent le contraste entre le cortege gabbro-dioritique essentiellement mantellique, et les granites crustaux. L'analyse structurale de la serie volcano-sedimentaire montre deux phases de deformation