Comparison of Several RANS Modelling for the Pavia TRIGA Mark II Research Reactor

Poster (2017)

In this study, a detailed analysis of the turbulent regime within the core of the Pavia TRIGA Mark II reactor is perfomed by means of an in-depth comparison of the RAS (Reynolds-Averaged Simulation ... [more ▼]

In this study, a detailed analysis of the turbulent regime within the core of the Pavia TRIGA Mark II reactor is perfomed by means of an in-depth comparison of the RAS (Reynolds-Averaged Simulation) turbulence models implemented in OpenFOAM. Aim of this analysis is to give some important information with respect to the flow regime within the core. The performance of the various models is tested against a LES (Large Eddy Simulation) of the innermost channel. [less ▲]

A comparison of two meso-models for dry-woven fabrics and their multiscale equivalents

Scientific Conference (2016, April)

In this presentation, an X-braced spring mesomodel will be compared to a mesomodel in which the diagonal springs are replaced by rotational springs. The results are signi cantly di fferent, but some ... [more ▼]

In this presentation, an X-braced spring mesomodel will be compared to a mesomodel in which the diagonal springs are replaced by rotational springs. The results are signi cantly di fferent, but some disadvantages of the use of rotational springs will also be mentioned. A substantial part of the presentation will furthermore be dedicated to the multiscale quasicontinuum method to upscale the mesomodels in order to achieve e fficient macroscale computations. macroscale computations [less ▲]

Compatibilités et incompatibilités liants cimentaires / superplastifiants

Doctoral thesis (2010)

Currently required concrete strength imposes a lower water/cement ratio and use of superplasticizer to make easier the fresh material implementation. Polycarboxylate type products are very effective in ... [more ▼]

Currently required concrete strength imposes a lower water/cement ratio and use of superplasticizer to make easier the fresh material implementation. Polycarboxylate type products are very effective in the short term but can lead to a fast loss of workability in case of binder/superplasticizer incompatibility. The object of this work is the identification of cementitous phases involved in these rheological variations. Initially, flow of various superplasticized pastes is evaluated by a rheometer fitted with a ball measuring system. Compatible combinations flow like a Bingham’s fluid. An incompatibility results in an increase of yield stress and plastic viscosity or rheological properties evolution into Herschel-Bulkley’s fluid. Then, cement/superplasticizer combinations are characterized by rheological tests. Stiffening assessment of pastes and chemical characterisation of hydrated cements show that consistency is associated with amount and microstructure of formed ettringite. These parameters depend on initially present aluminate phase and calcium sulphates. Finally, study of synthetic cementitous systems states that calcium sulphates solubility, in presence of superplasticizer, is increased probably because Ca2+ ions complexation by polycarboxylates. As for the orthorhombic variety of aluminate phase, more reactive than cubic variety, it leads to a large amount of needle-shaped ettringite. [less ▲]

Compressive Instabilities Enable Cell-Induced Extreme Densification Patterns in the Fibrous Extracellular Matrix: Discrete Model Predictions

E-print/Working paper (2022)

A computational library for multiscale modeling of material failure

in Computational Mechanics (2013)

We present an open-source software framework called PERMIX for multiscale modeling and simulation of fracture in solids. The framework is an object oriented open-source effort written primarily in Fortran ... [more ▼]

We present an open-source software framework called PERMIX for multiscale modeling and simulation of fracture in solids. The framework is an object oriented open-source effort written primarily in Fortran 2003 standard with Fortran/C++ interfaces to a number of other libraries such as LAMMPS, ABAQUS, LS-DYNA and GMSH. Fracture on the continuum level is modeled by the extended finite element method (XFEM). Using several novel or state of the art methods, the piece software handles semi-concurrent multiscale methods as well as concurrent multiscale methods for fracture, coupling two continuum domains or atomistic domains to continuum domains, respectively. The efficiency of our open-source software is shown through several simulations including a 3D crack modeling in clay nanocomposites, a semi-concurrent FE-FE coupling, a 3D Arlequin multiscale example and an MD-XFEM coupling for dynamic crack propagation. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. [less ▲]

Computational mechanics of interfaces

Presentation (2016, May 22)

The course will present an overview of recent developments, which will enable students to make informed choices in terms of discretization and model selection in solving numerical problems in mechanics ... [more ▼]

The course will present an overview of recent developments, which will enable students to make informed choices in terms of discretization and model selection in solving numerical problems in mechanics. We will cover discretization strategies ranging from the standard finite element method, the smoothed finite element method, the extended finite element method, polygonal and virtual element methods, meshfree methods. The applications range between fracture of heterogeneous materials and biomedical simulations. The intended learning outcomes of the course are such that the students will be: - able to critically assess discretization schemes in mechanics - able to implement simple error estimators for finite element methods - familiar with basic multi-scale methods for fracture and their limitations - able to follow basic literature in model error and model selection, in particular based on Bayesian inference Course participants will learn these topics through lectures and hands-on numerical experiments. [less ▲]

Computational representation and hemodynamic characterization of in vivo acquired severe stenotic renal artery geometries using turbulence modeling

in Medical Engineering and Physics (2008), 30(5), 647-660

The present study reports on computational fluid dynamics in the case of severe renal artery stenosis (RAS). An anatomically realistic model of a renal artery was reconstructed from CT scans, and used to ... [more ▼]

The present study reports on computational fluid dynamics in the case of severe renal artery stenosis (RAS). An anatomically realistic model of a renal artery was reconstructed from CT scans, and used to conduct CFD simulations of blood flow across RAS. The recently developed Shear Stress Transport turbulence model was pivotally applied in the simulation of blood flow in the region of interest. Blood flow was studied in vivo under the presence of RAS and subsequently in simulated cases before the development of RAS, and after endovascular stent implantation. The pressure gradients in the RAS case were many orders of magnitude larger than in the healthy case. The presence of RAS increased flow resistance, which led to considerably lower blood flow rates. A simulated stent in place of the RAS decreased the flow resistance at levels proportional to, and even lower than, the simulated healthy case without the RAS. The wall shear stresses, differential pressure profiles, and net forces exerted on the surface of the atherosclerotic plaque at peak pulse were shown to be of relevant high distinctiveness, so as to be considered potential indicators of hemodynamically significant RAS. [less ▲]

Computational Sciences Year 2016 Activity Report

Report (2016)

Born from a bottom-up initiative of Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics and Computational Engineering, Computational Sciences (CoSc) have contributed to create at UL a positive and symbiotic research ... [more ▼]

Born from a bottom-up initiative of Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics and Computational Engineering, Computational Sciences (CoSc) have contributed to create at UL a positive and symbiotic research environment relying on a strong fundamental scientific research core. CoSc will continue to rationalize research efforts across a range of strategic innovation domains by centralizing research and development tools and building upon the existing strengths of the Luxembourgish research and socio-economic landscape. [less ▲]

Conception, fabrication et validation d'un dispositif de mesure non-invasive de la laxité rotatoire du genou "Rotamètre"

Doctoral thesis (2012)

Condition assessment of concrete structures and bridges using vibration monitoring in comparison to changes in their static properties

Doctoral thesis (2010)

The thesis deals with the non-destructive condition assessment of civil engineering structures made of reinforced and prestressed concrete as well as bridges and concentrates on a comparison of static and ... [more ▼]

The thesis deals with the non-destructive condition assessment of civil engineering structures made of reinforced and prestressed concrete as well as bridges and concentrates on a comparison of static and dynamic investigation methods. The main questions discuss the sensitivity of changes in static as well as in dynamic properties during the mechanical lifetime of those types of structures under laboratory conditions, the sensitivity of these changes when testing in-situ and the dimension of undesired environmental influences on the dynamic properties. Therefore, a gradually loaded laboratory reinforced concrete beam (cp. chapter 7) and a reinforced as well as a prestressed concrete slab (cp. chapter 8) are investigated for changes in their static and dynamic parameters until reaching their ultimate loads. Furthermore, a successively damaged and stepwise loaded laboratory reinforced concrete slab and a prestressed concrete slab (cp. also chapter 8) are under investigation and also compared in changes in their static as well as in dynamic properties during their lifetimes. By means of static and dynamic tests on a successively damaged and stepwise loaded prestressed concrete bridge (cp. chapter 9) it was possible to investigate the amount of changes in static and dynamic properties for a real in-situ object. A long-term measurement of a composite bridge (cp. chapter 10) demonstrates the environmental influences on the static and dynamic properties of a system which have to be considered when conducting comparative non-destructive condition assessment techniques on real objects. All tests are calculated respectively simulated by the method of the integration of stress (cp. chapter 6) or the finite element method by using the softwares ANSYS and SOFISTIK. Furthermore, measured eigenfrequencies and modeshapes are used to adapt finite element models with the aim to improve the model or to locate and quantify damaged areas. The work is a contribution to the application of non-destructive static and dynamic condition assessment methods on civil engineering structures made of concrete in the sector of civil engineering. [less ▲]