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(1 - 17 of 17)
- Title
- ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE IN BRIDGE DECKAPPLICATIONS.
- Creator
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Xia, Jun, Mackie, Kevin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The research presented in this dissertation focuses on the material characterization of ultrahigh performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHP-FRC) at both the microscopic and macroscopic scales. The macroscopic mechanical properties of this material are highly related to the orientation of the steel fibers distributed within the matrix. However, the fiber orientation distribution has been confirmed to be anisotropic based on the flow-casting process. The orientation factor and probability...
Show moreThe research presented in this dissertation focuses on the material characterization of ultrahigh performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHP-FRC) at both the microscopic and macroscopic scales. The macroscopic mechanical properties of this material are highly related to the orientation of the steel fibers distributed within the matrix. However, the fiber orientation distribution has been confirmed to be anisotropic based on the flow-casting process. The orientation factor and probability density function (PDF) of the crossing fiber (fibers crossing a cutting plane) orientation was obtained based on theoretical derivations and numerical simulations with respect to different levels of anisotropy and cut planes oriented arbitrarily in space. The level of anisotropy can be calibrated based on image analysis on cut sections from hardened UHP-FRC prisms. Simplified equations provide a framework to predict the mechanical properties based on a single fiber-matrix interaction rule selected from existing theoretical models. Along with the investigation of the impacts from different curing methods and available post-cracking models, a versatile parameterized uniaxial stress-strain constitutive model was developed and calibrated. The constitutive model was implemented in a finite element analysis software program, and the program was utilized in the preliminary design of moveable bridge deck panels made of passively reinforced UHP-FRC. This deck system was among the several alternatives to replace the problematic steel grid decks currently in use. Based on experimental investigations of the deck panels, failure occurred largely in shear rather than flexure during bending tests. However, this shear failure is not abrupt and usually involves large deformation, large sectional rotation, and wide shear cracks before loss of load-carrying capacity. This particular shear failure mode observed was further investigated numerically and experimentally. Three-dimensional FEM models with the ability to reflect the interaction between rebar and concrete were created in a commercial FEM software to investigate the load transfer mechanism before and after bond failure. Small-scale passively reinforced prisms were tested to verify the conclusions drawn from simulation results. In an effort to improve the original design, several shear-strengthened deck panels were tested and evaluated for effectiveness. Finally, methods and equations to predict the ultimate shear capacity were calibrated. A two-dimensional frame element based complete moveable bridge finite element model was built for observation of bridge system performance. The model contained the option to substitute any available deck system based on a subset of pre-calibrated parameters specific to each deck type. These alternative deck systems include an aluminum bridge deck system and a glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) deck system. All three alternatives and the original steel grid deck system were evaluated based on the global responses of the moveable bridge, and the advantages and disadvantages of adopting the UHP-FRC deck system are quantified.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003721, ucf:48803
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003721
- Title
- FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATION OF SINGLE-LAP SHEAR TESTS UTILIZING THE COHESIVE ZONE APPROACH.
- Creator
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Perez, Wilson A, Gordon, Ali P., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Many applications require adhesives with high strength to withstand the exhaustive loads encountered in regular operation. In aerospace applications, advanced adhesives are needed to bond metals, ceramics, and composites under shear loading. The lap shear test is the experiment of choice for evaluating shear strength capabilities of adhesives. Specifically during single-lap shear testing, two overlapping rectangular tabs bonded by a thin adhesive layer are subject to tension. Shear is imposed...
Show moreMany applications require adhesives with high strength to withstand the exhaustive loads encountered in regular operation. In aerospace applications, advanced adhesives are needed to bond metals, ceramics, and composites under shear loading. The lap shear test is the experiment of choice for evaluating shear strength capabilities of adhesives. Specifically during single-lap shear testing, two overlapping rectangular tabs bonded by a thin adhesive layer are subject to tension. Shear is imposed as a result. Debonding occurs when the shear strength of the adhesive is surpassed by the load applied by the testing mechanism. This research develops a finite element model (FEM) and material model which allows mechanicians to accurately simulate bonded joints under mechanical loads. Data acquired from physical tests was utilized to correlate the finite element simulations. Lap shear testing has been conducted on various adhesives, specifically SA1-30-MOD, SA10-100, and SA10-05, single base methacrylate adhesives. The adhesives were tested on aluminum, stainless steel, and cold rolled steel adherends. The finite element model simulates what is observed during a physical single-lap shear test consisting of every combination of the mentioned materials. To accomplish this, a three-dimensional model was created and the cohesive zone approach was used to simulate debonding of the tabs from the adhesive. The thicknesses of the metallic tabs and the adhesive layer were recorded and incorporated into the model in order to achieve an accurate solution. From the data, force output and displacement of the tabs are utilized to create curves which were compared to the actual data. Stress and strain were then computed and plotted to verify the validity of the simulations. The modeling and constant determination approach developed here will continue to be used for newly-developed adhesives.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000149, ucf:45973
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000149
- Title
- Mechanical Properties of Brittle Ceramics: Case Study of Boron Rich Ceramics and Acropora cervicornis Coral Skeleton.
- Creator
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Carrasco-Pena, Alejandro, Kwok, Kawai, Orlovskaya, Nina, Gou, Jihua, Uribe Romo, Fernando, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Ceramics are ubiquitous in man-made and natural structures. Their mechanical properties highly depend on their composition, microstructure and level of defects in the bulk of the material, the latter affecting the integrity of the components; such is the case of boron-rich ceramics where large agglomerates create high stressed regions, or coral skeleton where porosity determines their strength against hydrodynamic forces present in the ocean tides. Therefore, studying the properties of...
Show moreCeramics are ubiquitous in man-made and natural structures. Their mechanical properties highly depend on their composition, microstructure and level of defects in the bulk of the material, the latter affecting the integrity of the components; such is the case of boron-rich ceramics where large agglomerates create high stressed regions, or coral skeleton where porosity determines their strength against hydrodynamic forces present in the ocean tides. Therefore, studying the properties of ceramic materials using invasive and non-invasive methods helps in the understanding of the link between the properties and the performance of the structures. The aim of this research was to test the novel ceramic component ZrB2-30wt%SiB6 and Acropora cervicornis coral skeleton using non-conventional techniques that allow for the study of their mechanical properties and their behavior when exposed to external loads present in their environments of application. The first part of this study focuses on understanding the effects of adding SiB6 to enhance the mechanical properties of ZrB2 ceramics for their ultra-high temperature use. The second part will emphasize in the behavior of Acropora cervicornis coral skeleton when exposed to compressive forces and the effects porosity has on this structure when subjected to such loads. It was found that the SiB6 phase was not stable after sintering of the composite and large agglomerates were present in the surface of the material acting as stress concentrators, thus compromising the biaxial strength of the component that resulted to be 224.9 MPa. It was also found that coral skeletons are highly susceptible to porosity which creates variability on the elastic modulus ranging from 60-1 GPa for simulated porosity of 0-90% respectively and a strength of 3.56 (&)#177; 0.31 GPa obtained through Vickers indentation. Finite element models were developed and validated against experimental results for the ZrB2-30wt%SiB6 and Acropora cervicornis coral skeleton.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007440, ucf:52696
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007440
- Title
- The Mechanical Response and Parametric Optimization of Ankle-Foot Devices.
- Creator
-
Smith, Kevin, Gordon, Ali, Kassab, Alain, Bai, Yuanli, Pabian, Patrick, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
To improve the mobility of lower limb amputees, many modern prosthetic ankle-foot devices utilize a so called energy storing and return (ESAR) design. This allows for elastically stored energy to be returned to the gait cycle as forward propulsion. While ESAR type feet have been well accepted by the prosthetic community, the design and selection of a prosthetic device for a specific individual is often based on clinical feedback rather than engineering design. This is due to an incomplete...
Show moreTo improve the mobility of lower limb amputees, many modern prosthetic ankle-foot devices utilize a so called energy storing and return (ESAR) design. This allows for elastically stored energy to be returned to the gait cycle as forward propulsion. While ESAR type feet have been well accepted by the prosthetic community, the design and selection of a prosthetic device for a specific individual is often based on clinical feedback rather than engineering design. This is due to an incomplete understanding of the role of prosthetic design characteristics (e.g. stiffness, roll-over shape, etc.) have on the gait pattern of an individual. Therefore, the focus of this work has been to establish a better understanding of the design characteristics of existing prosthetic devices through mechanical testing and the development of a prototype prosthetic foot that has been numerically optimized for a specific gait pattern. The component stiffness, viscous properties, and energy return of commonly prescribed carbon fiber ESAR type feet were evaluated through compression testing with digital image correlation at select loading angles following the idealized gait from the ISO 22675 standard for fatigue testing. A representative model was developed to predict the stress within each of the tested components during loading and to optimize the design for a target loading response through parametric finite element analysis. This design optimization approach, along with rapid prototyping technologies, will allow clinicians to better identify the role the design characteristics of the foot have on an amputee's biomechanics during future gait analysis.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006397, ucf:51502
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006397
- Title
- A MECHANICS-BASED APPROACH FOR PUTT DISTANCE OPTIMIZATION.
- Creator
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Santiago-Martinez, Pascual, Gordon, Ali, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Quantifying the core mechanics of putting is imperative to developing a reliable model that predicts post-collision ball behavior. A preliminary model for the stroking motion of putting and putter-ball collision is developed alongside experiments, establishing an empirical model that supports the theory. The goal of the present study is to develop a correlation between the backstroke of a putt, or the pre-impact translation of the putter, and the post-impact displacement of the golf ball....
Show moreQuantifying the core mechanics of putting is imperative to developing a reliable model that predicts post-collision ball behavior. A preliminary model for the stroking motion of putting and putter-ball collision is developed alongside experiments, establishing an empirical model that supports the theory. The goal of the present study is to develop a correlation between the backstroke of a putt, or the pre-impact translation of the putter, and the post-impact displacement of the golf ball. This correlation is subsequently utilized to generate an algorithm that predicts the two-dimensional ball trajectory based on putt displacement and putting surface texture by means of finite element analysis. In generating a model that accurately describes the putting behavior, the principles of classical mechanics were utilized. As a result, the putt displacement was completely described as a function of backstroke and some environmental parameters, such as: friction, slope of the green, and the elasticity of the putter-ball collision. In support of the preliminary model, experimental data were gathered from golfers of all levels. The collected data demonstrated a linear correlation between backstroke and putt distance, with the environmental parameters factoring in as a constant value; moreover, the data showed that experienced golfers tend to have a constant acceleration through ball impact. Combining the empirical results with the trajectory prediction algorithm will deliver an accurate predictor of ball behavior that can be easily implemented by golfers under most practical applications. Putt distance to backstroke ratios were developed under a variety of conditions
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004764, ucf:45340
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004764
- Title
- EQUIBIAXIAL FLEXURAL STRENGTH TESTING OF ADVANCE CERAMICS.
- Creator
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Jordan, Ryan T, Orlovskaya, Nina, Kwok, Kawai; Ghosh, Ranajay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Ceramics are very important materials with many unique properties used in numerous industrial applications. Ceramics could be very hard and very strong in comparison to metals; however, they are very brittle, thus they are prone to instantaneous and catastrophic failure. Therefore, their reliability is compromised and it is very important to have advanced techniques that allow evaluating their mechanical behavior in many unusual stress states. One of such testing methods is biaxial strength...
Show moreCeramics are very important materials with many unique properties used in numerous industrial applications. Ceramics could be very hard and very strong in comparison to metals; however, they are very brittle, thus they are prone to instantaneous and catastrophic failure. Therefore, their reliability is compromised and it is very important to have advanced techniques that allow evaluating their mechanical behavior in many unusual stress states. One of such testing methods is biaxial strength method, that allows to measure properties not only unidirectional, but also in a biaxial way. The research work for this thesis will be built on design and development of ring-on-ring test jigs that will measure a biaxial strength of thin ceramic disks.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000386, ucf:45700
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000386
- Title
- DESIGN OF HIGH EFFICIENCY BRUSHLESS PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINES AND DRIVER SYSTEM.
- Creator
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He, Chengyuan, Wei, Lei, Sundaram, Kalpathy, Zhou, Qun, Jin, Yier, Zou, Shengli, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The dissertation is concerned with the design of high-efficiency permanent magnet synchronous machinery and the control system. The dissertation first talks about the basic concept of the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) design and the mathematics design model of the advanced design method. The advantage of the design method is that it can increase the high load capacity at no cost of increasing the total machine size. After that, the control method of the PMSM and Permanent magnet...
Show moreThe dissertation is concerned with the design of high-efficiency permanent magnet synchronous machinery and the control system. The dissertation first talks about the basic concept of the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) design and the mathematics design model of the advanced design method. The advantage of the design method is that it can increase the high load capacity at no cost of increasing the total machine size. After that, the control method of the PMSM and Permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) is introduced. The design, simulation, and test of a permanent magnet brushless DC (BLDC) motor for electric impact wrench and new mechanical structure are first presented based on the design method. Finite element analysis based on the Maxwell 2D is built to optimize the design and the control board is designed using Altium Designer. Both the motor and control board have been fabricated and tested to verify the design. The electrical and mechanical design are combined, and it provides an analytical IPMBLDC design method and an innovative and reasonable mechanical dynamical calculation method for the impact wrench system, which can be used in whole system design of other functional electric tools. A 2kw high-efficiency alternator system and its control board system are also designed, analyzed and fabricated applying to the truck auxiliary power unit (APU). The alternator system has two stages. The first stage is that the alternator three-phase outputs are connected to the three-phase active rectifier to get 48V DC. An advanced Sliding Mode Observer (SMO) is used to get an alternator position. The buck is used for the second stage to get 14V DC output. The whole system efficiency is much higher than the traditional system using induction motor.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007334, ucf:52135
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007334
- Title
- TARGET ELEMENT SIZES FOR FINITE ELEMENT TIDAL MODELS FROM A DOMAIN-WIDE, LOCALIZED TRUNCATION ERROR ANALYSIS INCORPORATING BOTTOM STRESS AND CORIOLIS FORCE.
- Creator
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Parrish, Denwood, Hagen, Scott C., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
A new methodology for the determination of target element sizes for the construction of finite element meshes applicable to the simulation of tidal flow in coastal and oceanic domains is developed and tested. The methodology is consistent with the discrete physics of tidal flow, and includes the effects of bottom stress. The method enables the estimation of the localized truncation error of the nonconservative momentum equations throughout a triangulated data set of water surface elevation...
Show moreA new methodology for the determination of target element sizes for the construction of finite element meshes applicable to the simulation of tidal flow in coastal and oceanic domains is developed and tested. The methodology is consistent with the discrete physics of tidal flow, and includes the effects of bottom stress. The method enables the estimation of the localized truncation error of the nonconservative momentum equations throughout a triangulated data set of water surface elevation and flow velocity. The method's domain-wide applicability is due in part to the formulation of a new localized truncation error estimator in terms of complex derivatives. More conventional criteria that are often used to determine target element sizes are limited to certain bathymetric conditions. The methodology developed herein is applicable over a broad range of bathymetric conditions, and can be implemented efficiently. Since the methodology permits the determination of target element size at points up to and including the coastal boundary, it is amenable to coastal domain applications including estuaries, embayments, and riverine systems. These applications require consideration of spatially varying bottom stress and advective terms, addressed herein. The new method, called LTEA-CD (localized truncation error analysis with complex derivatives), is applied to model solutions over the Western North Atlantic Tidal model domain (the bodies of water lying west of the 60° W meridian). The convergence properties of LTEACD are also analyzed. It is found that LTEA-CD may be used to build a series of meshes that produce converging solutions of the shallow water equations. An enhanced version of the new methodology, LTEA+CD (which accounts for locally variable bottom stress and Coriolis terms) is used to generate a mesh of the WNAT model domain having 25% fewer nodes and elements than an existing mesh upon which it is based; performance of the two meshes, in an average sense, is indistinguishable when considering elevation tidal signals. Finally, LTEA+CD is applied to the development of a mesh for the Loxahatchee River estuary; it is found that application of LTEA+CD provides a target element size distribution that, when implemented, outperforms a high-resolution semi-uniform mesh as well as a manually constructed, existing, documented mesh.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001738, ucf:52860
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001738
- Title
- Biomechanical Factors Influencing Treatment of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) with the Pavlik Harness.
- Creator
-
Ardila, Orlando, Kassab, Alain, Moslehy, Faissal, Divo, Eduardo, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Biomechanical factors influencing the reduction of dislocated hips with the Pavlik harness in patients of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) were studied using a simplified three-dimensional computer model simulating hip reduction dynamics in (1) subluxated, and (2) fully dislocated hip joints. The CT-scans of a 6 month-old female infant were used to measure the geometrical features of the hip joint including acetabular and femoral head diameter, acetabular depth, and geometry of the...
Show moreBiomechanical factors influencing the reduction of dislocated hips with the Pavlik harness in patients of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) were studied using a simplified three-dimensional computer model simulating hip reduction dynamics in (1) subluxated, and (2) fully dislocated hip joints. The CT-scans of a 6 month-old female infant were used to measure the geometrical features of the hip joint including acetabular and femoral head diameter, acetabular depth, and geometry of the acetabular labrum, using the medical segmentation software Mimics. The lower extremity was modeled by three segments: thigh, leg, and foot. The mass and the location of the center of gravity of each segment were calculated using anthropometry, based on the total body mass of a 6-month old female infant at the 50th length-for-age percentile. A calibrated nonlinear stress-strain model was used to simulate muscle responses. The simplified 3D model consists of the pubis, ischium, acetabulum with labrum, and femoral head, neck, and shaft. It is capable of simulating dislocated as well as reduced hips in abduction and flexion.Five hip adductor muscles were identified as key mediators of DDH prognosis, and the non-dimensional force contribution of each in the direction necessary to achieve concentric hip reductions was determined. Results point to the adductor muscles as mediators of subluxated hip reductions, as their mechanical action is a function of the degree of hip dislocation. For subluxated hips in abduction and flexion, the Pectineus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Longus, and proximal Adductor Magnus muscles contribute positively to reduction, while the rest of the Adductor Magnus contributes negatively. In full dislocations all muscles contribute detrimentally to reduction, elucidating the need for traction to reduce Graf IV type dislocations. Reduction of dysplastic hips was found to occur in two distinct phases: (a) release phase and (b) reduction phase.To expand the range of DDH-related problems that can be studied, an improved three-dimensional anatomical computer model was generated by combining CT-scan and muscle positional data belonging to four human subjects. This model consists of the hip bone and femora of a 10-week old female infant. It was segmented to encompass the distinct cartilaginous regions of infant anatomy, as well as the different regions of cortical and cancellous bone; these properties were retrieved from the literature. This engineering computer model of an infant anatomy is being employed for (1) the development of a complete finite element and dynamics computer model for simulations of hip dysplasia reductions using novel treatment approaches, (2) the determination of a path of least resistance in reductions of hip dysplasia based on a minimum potential energy approach, (3) the study of the mechanics of hyperflexion of the hip as alternative treatment for late-presenting cases of hip dysplasia, and (4) a comprehensive investigation of the effects of femoral anteversion angle (AV) variations in reductions of hip dysplasia. This thesis thus reports on an interdisciplinary effort between orthopedic surgeons and mechanical engineers to apply engineering fundamentals to solve medical problems. The results of this research are clinically relevant in pediatric orthopaedics.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004646, ucf:49907
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004646
- Title
- NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF FRACTURE OF A NANO-PAPER COATED E-GLASS/POLYESTER COMPOSITE WITH THERMAL DAMAGE.
- Creator
-
Graham, Zachary, Gordon, Ali, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Aerospace research for next-generation travel increasingly focuses on the use of advanced composites to reduce weight and cost while retaining strength. One subset of materials with great potential is based on the combination of resin matrix and glass-fiber reinforcement. This research explores the application of a candidate nanopaper coating with a given composite. Prior research applied a set of given heat fluxes to the top surface of the composite for a set of given periods of time, and...
Show moreAerospace research for next-generation travel increasingly focuses on the use of advanced composites to reduce weight and cost while retaining strength. One subset of materials with great potential is based on the combination of resin matrix and glass-fiber reinforcement. This research explores the application of a candidate nanopaper coating with a given composite. Prior research applied a set of given heat fluxes to the top surface of the composite for a set of given periods of time, and subsequently performed a 3-point flexural test to determine the elastic modulus for both the coated and uncoated composite for all of the combinations of heat flux and time. A finite element (FE) model is developed using the ANSYS general purpose finite element analysis (FEA) software that models the degradation in strength/stiffness properties based on heating condition and with the goal of predicting cracking using the element death feature in ANSYS. This thesis describes the prior research suggesting both the need for and novelty of this model, and the procedures used to form the model. The loading conditions of the 3-point flexural test are replicated, and four measures of accuracy are developed based on the force versus displacement curve of the test and the FE model. It is envisioned that continuum-level models developed as a part of these research be applied for design of next-generation space components These measurements are used to verify the FE model, and this model is then employed to extrapolate beyond the context of experimental conditions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004346, ucf:45021
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004346
- Title
- STRUCTURAL CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF PRESTRESSED CONCRETE TRANSIT GUIDEWAYS.
- Creator
-
Shmerling, Robert, Catbas, F. Necati, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Objective condition assessment is essential to make better decisions for safety and serviceability of existing civil infrastructure systems. This study explores the condition of an existing transit guideway system that has been in service for thirty-five years. The structural system is composed of six-span continuous prestressed concrete bridge segments. The overall transit system incorporates a number of continuous bridges which share common design details, geometries, and loading conditions...
Show moreObjective condition assessment is essential to make better decisions for safety and serviceability of existing civil infrastructure systems. This study explores the condition of an existing transit guideway system that has been in service for thirty-five years. The structural system is composed of six-span continuous prestressed concrete bridge segments. The overall transit system incorporates a number of continuous bridges which share common design details, geometries, and loading conditions. The original analysis is based on certain simplifying assumptions such as rigid behavior over supports and simplified tendon/concrete/steel plate interaction. The current objective is to conduct a representative study for a more accurate understanding of the structural system and its behavior. The scope of the study is to generate finite element models (FEMs) to be used in static and dynamic parameter sensitivity studies, as well load rating and reliability analysis of the structure. The FEMs are used for eigenvalue analysis and simulations. Parameter sensitivity studies consider the effect of changing critical parameters, including material properties, prestress loss, and boundary and continuity conditions, on the static and dynamic structural response. Load ratings are developed using an American Association for State Highway Transportation Officials Load and Resistance Factor Rating (AASHTO LRFR) approach. The reliability of the structural system is evaluated based on the data obtained from various finite element models. Recommendations for experimental validation of the FEM are presented. This study is expected to provide information to make better decisions for operations, maintenance and safety requirements; to be a benchmark for future studies, to establish a procedure and methodology for structural condition assessment, and to contribute to the general research body of knowledge in condition assessment and structural health monitoring.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000658, ucf:46520
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000658
- Title
- A modeling framework of brittle and ductile fractures coexistence in composites.
- Creator
-
Qiao, Yangyang, Bai, Yuanli, Gou, Jihua, Kassab, Alain, Gordon, Ali, An, Linan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In order to reduce the weight of automobiles and aircrafts, lightweight materials, such as aluminum alloy, advanced high strength steel, composite materials, are widely used to replace the traditional materials like mild steel. Composite materials are complicated in material mechanical properties and less investigated compared to metallic materials. Engineering composites can be categorized into polymer matrix composites (PMCs), metal matrix composites (MMCs) and ceramic matrix composites ...
Show moreIn order to reduce the weight of automobiles and aircrafts, lightweight materials, such as aluminum alloy, advanced high strength steel, composite materials, are widely used to replace the traditional materials like mild steel. Composite materials are complicated in material mechanical properties and less investigated compared to metallic materials. Engineering composites can be categorized into polymer matrix composites (PMCs), metal matrix composites (MMCs) and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) according to their matrix materials.A set of mechanical experiments ranging from micro scale (single fiber composite and thin film composite) to macro scale (PMCs and MMCs) were conducted to fully understand the material behavior of composite materials. Loading conditions investigated includes uniaxial tension, three-point bending, uniaxial compression, simple shear, tension combined with shear, and compression combined with shear.For single fiber composite and thin-film composite, details of each composition are modelled. For the PMCs and MMCs which have plenty of reinforcements like fibers and particles, the details of the composition of structures cannot be modelled due to the current limitations of computing power. A mechanics framework of composite materials including elasticity, plasticity, failure initiation and post failure softening is proposed and applied to two types of composite materials.Uniaxial tension loading is applied to several single fiber composites and thin film composites. A surprising phenomenon, controllable and sequential fragmentation of the brittle fiber to produce uniformly sized rods along meters of polymer cladding, rather than the expected random or chaotic fragmentation, is observed with a necking propagation process. A combination of necking propagation model, fiber cracking model and interfacial model are proposed and applied to the finite element simulations. Good predictions of necking propagation and uniform fragmentation phenomenon are achieved. This modeling method of the micro-scale phenomenon reveals the physics inside composites in micro scale and helps the understanding of the process of nano fragmentation.Unidirectional carbon fiber composites were tested under multi-axial loading conditions including tensile/compression/shear loadings along and perpendicular to the fiber direction. Compression dominated tests showed a brittle fracture mode like local kicking/buckling, while tension dominated tests showed a fracture mode like delamination and fiber breakage. Simple shear tests with displacement control showed matrix material hardening and softening before total failure. The proposed modeling framework is successfully applied to the PMCs. A new parameter ? was introduced to represent different loading conditions of PMCs. Numerical simulations using finite element method well duplicated the anisotropic elasticity and plasticity of this material. Failure features like delamination was simulated using cohesive surface feature. It is also applied to carbon fiber composite laminates to further validate the proposed model.A round of experimental study on high volume fraction of metallic matrix nano composites was conducted, including uniaxial tension, uniaxial compression, and three-point bending. The example materials were two magnesium matrix composites reinforced with 10 and 15% vol. SiC particles (50nm size). Brittle fracture mode was exhibited under uniaxial tension and three-point bending, while shear dominated ductile fracture mode (up to 12% fracture strain) was observed under uniaxial compression. Transferring the Modified Mohr Coulomb (MMC) ductile fracture model to the stress based MMC model (sMMC), the proposed modeling framework is applied to this material. This model has been demonstrated to be capable of predicting the coexistence of brittle and ductile fracture modes under different loading conditions for MMCs. Numerical simulations using finite element method well duplicated the material strength, fracture initiation sites and crack propagation modes of the Mg/SiC nano composites with a good accuracy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007078, ucf:51977
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007078
- Title
- Ultra-Efficient Cascaded Buck-Boost Converter.
- Creator
-
Ashok Pise, Anirudh, Batarseh, Issa, Mikhael, Wasfy, Sun, Wei, Kutkut, Nasser, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis presents various techniques to achieve ultra-high-efficiency for Cascaded-Buck-Boost converter. A rigorous loss model with component non linearity is developed and validated experimentally. An adaptive-switching-frequency control is discussed to optimize weighted efficiency. Some soft-switching techniques are discussed. A low-profile planar-nanocrystalline inductor is developed and various design aspects of core and copper design are discussed. Finite-element-method is used to...
Show moreThis thesis presents various techniques to achieve ultra-high-efficiency for Cascaded-Buck-Boost converter. A rigorous loss model with component non linearity is developed and validated experimentally. An adaptive-switching-frequency control is discussed to optimize weighted efficiency. Some soft-switching techniques are discussed. A low-profile planar-nanocrystalline inductor is developed and various design aspects of core and copper design are discussed. Finite-element-method is used to examine and visualize the inductor design. By implementing the above, a peak efficiency of over 99.2 % is achieved with a power density of 6 kW/L and a maximum profile height of 7 mm is reported. This converter finds many applications because of its versatility: allowing bidirectional power flow and the ability to step-up or step-down voltages in either direction.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0007277, ucf:52181
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007277
- Title
- Implementation And Performance Comparisons For The Crisfield And Stiff Arc Length Methods In FEA.
- Creator
-
Silvers, Thomas, Gordon, Ali, Nicholson, David, Kassab, Alain, Ilie, Marcel, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (FEA) applied to structures, displacements at which the tangent stiffness matrix KT becomes singular are called critical points, and correspond to instabilities such as buckling or elastoplastic softening (e.g., necking). Prior to the introduction of Arc Length Methods (ALMs), critical points posed severe computational challenges, which was unfortunate since behavior at instabilities is of great interest as a precursor to structural failure. The original...
Show moreIn Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (FEA) applied to structures, displacements at which the tangent stiffness matrix KT becomes singular are called critical points, and correspond to instabilities such as buckling or elastoplastic softening (e.g., necking). Prior to the introduction of Arc Length Methods (ALMs), critical points posed severe computational challenges, which was unfortunate since behavior at instabilities is of great interest as a precursor to structural failure. The original ALM was shown to be capable in some circumstances of continued computation at critical points, but limited success and unattractive features of the formulation were noted and addressed in extensive subsequent research. The widely used Crisfield Cylindrical and Spherical ALMs may be viewed as representing the 'state-of-the-art'. The more recent Stiff Arc Length method, which is attractive on fundamental grounds, was introduced in 2004, but without implementation, benchmarking or performance assessment. The present thesis addresses (a) implementation and (b) performance comparisons for the Crisfield and Stiff methods, using simple benchmarks formulated to incorporate elastoplastic softening. It is seen that, in contrast to the Crisfield methods, the Stiff ALM consistently continues accurate computation at, near and beyond critical points.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004277, ucf:49544
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004277
- Title
- Modeling Repair Patches of Ship Hull and Studying the Effect of Their Orientation on Stresses.
- Creator
-
Enwegy, Halima, Moslehy, Faissal, Kassab, Alain, Bai, Yuanli, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The hull is the most important structural part of any maritime vessel. It must be adequately designed to withstand the harsh sailing environmental conditions and associated forces. In the past, the basic material used to manufacture the ship hull was wood, where the hull was usually shaped as cylindrical wooden shanks. In the present, hull designs have developed to steel columns or stiffened panels that are made of different types of materials. Panels that are stiffened orthogonally in two or...
Show moreThe hull is the most important structural part of any maritime vessel. It must be adequately designed to withstand the harsh sailing environmental conditions and associated forces. In the past, the basic material used to manufacture the ship hull was wood, where the hull was usually shaped as cylindrical wooden shanks. In the present, hull designs have developed to steel columns or stiffened panels that are made of different types of materials. Panels that are stiffened orthogonally in two or more directions and have nine independent material constants are defined as orthotropic panels, and they achieve high specific strength.This thesis presents the effect of different patch orientations on the resulting strain and stress concentrations at the area of interaction between the panel and the patch. As it is known, the behavior of stiffened plates is affected by several important parameters, e.g., length to width ratio of the panel, stiffener geometry and spacing, aspect ratio for plates between stiffeners, plate slenderness, von Mises stresses, initial distortions, boundary conditions, and type of loading. A finite element model of the ship hull has been developed and run on ABAQUS (commercially available finite element software). The stiffened panel and patch are modeled as equivalent orthotropic plates made of steel. The panel edges are considered to be simply supported, and uniaxial tension was applied to the equivalent stiffened panel in addition to the lateral pressure (from water interaction). The developed model successfully predicted the optimal orientation of the panel for maximum stress concentration reduction. Moreover, in order to minimize the severe conditions caused by the mismatch that occurs if the material properties of the patch and the panel are the same during the patching process, it is necessary to stiffened the patch more than the panel. The developed model also suggested that an isotropic layer be added at the interaction to decrease the severity of arising stresses.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005162, ucf:50701
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005162
- Title
- Study On Anisotropic Plasticity And Fracture Of Lightweight Metal Sheets.
- Creator
-
Jia, Yueqian, Bai, Yuanli, Kassab, Alain, Raghavan, Seetha, Gou, Jihua, Wu, Thomas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
How to reduce weight and increase fuel efficiency is a critical challenge in transportation industries. One way to resolve the problem is to adopting lightweight alloys (i.e. advanced high strength steel, aluminum alloys, or magnesium alloy) in structure designs and manufacturing. Fully understanding the mechanical properties of these materials is a key step.In order to fully characterize the plasticity and fracture of magnesium AZ31B-H24 sheets, a set of mechanical experiments (170 in total)...
Show moreHow to reduce weight and increase fuel efficiency is a critical challenge in transportation industries. One way to resolve the problem is to adopting lightweight alloys (i.e. advanced high strength steel, aluminum alloys, or magnesium alloy) in structure designs and manufacturing. Fully understanding the mechanical properties of these materials is a key step.In order to fully characterize the plasticity and fracture of magnesium AZ31B-H24 sheets, a set of mechanical experiments (170 in total) were performed under both monotonic and non-proportional loading conditions, including monotonic uniaxial tension, notch tension, in-plane uniaxial compression, wide compression (or called biaxial compression), plane strain compression, through-thickness compression, in-plane shear, punch test, uniaxial compression-tension reverse loading, and two-step uniaxial tension (cross-loading).Both the plastic strain histories and stress responses were obtained under the above loading conditions, which give a comprehensive picture of mechanical behaviors of this material. No apparent cross-hardening effect was observed for this material.An extended orthotropic yield criterion involving two linear anisotropic transformation tensors, CPB06ex2, in conjunction with its associated flow rule was fully calibrated to describe both the anisotropy in plastic flow and tension-compression asymmetry in stress-strain behaviors.A fully modularized framework to combine isotropic, kinematic, and cross hardening behaviors was established under non-monotonic loading conditions. Three sets of state variables were defined and applied to consider the effects of, a) loading history, b) twinning and de-twinning and c) different pre-strain.In order to predict ductile fracture of metal sheets, the (")mixed(") stress/strain invariants based Modified-Mohr-Coulomb (MMC) fracture model was transferred into an all-strain based MMC (eMMC) model under plane stress condition, predicting the fracture strain dependent on strain ratio or ? angle, instead of stress triaxiality and Lode angle parameter. The strain ratio or ? angle could be directly measured by digital image correlation (DIC), while the latter required finite element analysis to be determined. This method makes it possible to study material fracture behavior while bypassing plasticity. The eMMC fracture locus can be fully calibrated by fracture strains directly measured from DIC. The fracture strain was also extended by a linear transformation operating to the plastic strain tensor to incorporate the fracture anisotropy. All models were implemented into Abaqus/Explicit as a user material subroutine (VUMAT). Good prediction capability has been demonstrated for magnesium AZ31B-H24 sheets by FE simulation using shell elements.The current framework was also applied for TRIP780, BH240, DP600, and EDDQ steel sheets with adjustment, under different loading conditions. The FE simulation results for TRIP780 correlated well with experimental data under different monotonic loading conditions. The analytical results for BH240, DP600, and EDDQ demonstrated good prediction capability for cross-hardening behavior, and validated by the non-proportional experimental data under two-stage uniaxial tension.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006121, ucf:51165
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006121
- Title
- Design, Development, and Testing of a Miniature Fixture for Uniaxial Compression of Ceramics Coupled with In-Situ Raman Spectrometer.
- Creator
-
Jordan, Ryan, Orlovskaya, Nina, Kwok, Kawai, Ghosh, Ranajay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis is about the design, development and integration of an in-situ compression stage which interfaces through the Leica optical microscope coupled with a Renishaw InVia micro-Raman spectrometer. This combined compression stage and Raman system will enable structural characterization of ceramics and ceramic composites. The in-situ compression stage incorporates a 440C stainless steel structural components, 6061 aluminum frame, a NEMA 23 stepper motor. Two load screws that allow to...
Show moreThis thesis is about the design, development and integration of an in-situ compression stage which interfaces through the Leica optical microscope coupled with a Renishaw InVia micro-Raman spectrometer. This combined compression stage and Raman system will enable structural characterization of ceramics and ceramic composites. The in-situ compression stage incorporates a 440C stainless steel structural components, 6061 aluminum frame, a NEMA 23 stepper motor. Two load screws that allow to apply compressive loads up to 14,137 N, with negligible off axis loading, achieving target stresses of 500 MPa for samples of up to 6.00 mm in diameter. The system will be used in the future to study the structural changes in ceramics and ceramic composites, as well as to study thermal residual stress redistribution under applied compressive loads. A broad variety of Raman active ceramics, including the traditional structural ceramics 3mol%Y2O3-ZrO2, B4C, SiC, Si3N4, as well as exotic materials such as LaCoO3 and other perovskites will be studied using this system. Calibration of the systems load cell was performed in the configured state using MTS universal testing machines. To ensure residual stresses from mounting the load cell did not invalidate the original calibration, the in-situ compression stage was tested once attached to the Renishaw Raman spectrometer using LaCoO3 ceramic samples. The Raman shift of certain peaks in LaCoO3 was detected indicative of the effect of the applied compressive stress on the ceramics understudy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007824, ucf:52809
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007824
