Brittle Rock Failure in the Steg Lateral Adit of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel

Summary: During the crossing of brittle rock formations at the Lötschberg base tunnel, failure phenomena have been observed both at the tunnel face and at the walls. A detailed analysis has been undertaken to explain these behaviours, based on the recent developments of Canadian research on brittle failure mechanisms. At the tunnel walls, a very good agreement is found between the calculated and observed damage and between two prediction methods, i.e. a semi-empirical failure criterion and elastic calculations with the "brittle Hoek-Brown parameters.” Near the face, due to the 3D nature of the stress conditions, some limitations of these approaches have been highlighted, and the growth of wall failure has been analysed. This research allowed a better understanding of the brittle rock mass behaviour at the Lötschberg base tunnel and showed that brittle failure processes dominate the behaviour of deep, highly stressed excavations in massive to moderately jointed rock. It also illustrates where improvements to the adopted approaches are require

Étude des perturbations conduites et rayonnées dans une cellule de commutation

The principles used in static conversion and the rise of the performances of the new switching devices contribue to increase the level of electromagnetic noises emitted by electronic converters. We have studied the way how these perturbations are created and coupled through their environment in conducted and radiated mode by a switching cell. This one can work in hard switching, zero current or voltage switching modes. We first outline the general problems of electromagnetic pollution and their metrology in converters. Then we describe the experimental environment. We analyse the mechanisms of generation of parasitic signals in a switching cell related to the electrical constraints and its switching mode. The simulated results, issued of the analytical models obtained, are confronted with the experimental ones. Then we show a method to calculate analytically the $E$ and $H$ near fields. It has been confirmed by experimental results. At last, we present, in a synthetic manner, the main results obtained, relative to the switching mode and the electrical constraints, using a new characterizing method. Theses results will allow the designer to incorporate the electromagnetic considerations in the conception of a converter.Les principes de commutation employés en conversion statique, l'évolution des performances statiques et dynamiques des composants, contribuent à faire des dispositifs de conversion statique de puissants générateurs de perturbations conduites et rayonnées. Nous nous sommes attachés à étudier les mécanismes de génération et de couplage des perturbations, tant en mode conduit que rayonné dans des structures à une seule cellule de commutation et fonctionnant selon les trois principaux modes de commutation : commutation forcée, à zéro de courant (ZCS), et à zéro de tension (ZVS). Après la mise en évidence de la problématique de pollution électromagnétique dans les structures et leur métrologie, nous décrivons l'environnement expérimental étudié. Nous analysons ensuite les principaux mécanismes produisant les perturbations au sein d'une cellule de commutation en introduisant un certain nombre de composants parasites. Les modèles sont simulés et confrontés aux résultats expérimentaux. Nous décrivons alors une méthode, validée expérimentalement et permettant de calculer les intensités des champs $E$ et $H$ proches émis. Enfin, nous présentons de façon synthétique les résultats observés selon les régimes de fonctionnement de la cellule de commutation et les contraintes électriques et dynamiques qu'elle subit. Nous avons, pour ce faire, développé une méthode originale de quantification des signaux perturbateurs. Les résultats obtenus doivent permettre d'intégrer les problèmes de pollution électromagnétique au stade de la conception d'un dispositif

Reliability determination of aluminium electrolytic capacitors by the mean of various methods: application to the protection system of the LHC

The lifetime of power electronic components is often calculated from reliability reports, but this method can be discussed. We compare in this article the results of various reliability reports to an accelerated ageing test of component and introduced the load-strength concept. Large aluminium electrolytic capacitors are taken here in example in the context of the protection system of LHC (Large Hadron Collider) in CERN where the level of reliability is essential. We notice important differences of MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) according to the reliability report used. Accelerating ageing tests carried out prove that a Weibull law is more adapted to determinate failure rates of components. The load-strength concept associated with accelerated ageing tests can be a solution to determine the lifetime of power electronic components

Brittle rock failure in the Steg lateral adit of the Lötschberg base tunnel

During the crossing of brittle rock formations at the Lötschberg base tunnel, failure phenomena have been observed both at the tunnel face and at the walls. A detailed analysis has been undertaken to explain these behaviours, based on the recent developments of Canadian research on brittle failure mechanisms. At the tunnel walls, a very good agreement is found between the calculated and observed damage and between two prediction methods, i.e. a semi-empirical failure criterion and elastic calculations with the ‘‘brittle Hoek-Brown parameters.’’ Near the face, due to the 3D nature of the stress conditions, some limitations of these approaches have been highlighted, and the growth of wall failure has been analysed. This research allowed a better understanding of the brittle rock mass behaviour at the Lötschberg base tunnel and showed that brittle failure processes dominate the behaviour of deep, highly stressed excavations in massive to moderately jointed rock. It also illustrates where improvements to the adopted approaches are required

STUDY OF CONDUCTED AND RADIATED INTERFERENCES IN A SWITCHING CELL

International audienceThe principles used in static conversion and the rise of the performances of the new switching devices contribue to increase the level of electromagnetic noises emitted by electronic converters. We have studied the way how these perturbations are created and coupled through their environment in conducted and radiated mode by a switching cell. This one can work in hard switching, zero current or voltage switching modes. We first outline the general problems of electromagnetic pollution and their metrology in converters. Then we describe the experimental environment. We analyse the mechanisms of generation of parasitic signals in a switching cell related to the electrical constraints and its switching mode. The simulated results, issued of the analytical models obtained, are confronted with the experimental ones. Then we show a method to calculate analytically the E and H near fields. It has been confirmed by experimental results. At last, we present, in a synthetic manner, the main results obtained, relative to the switching mode and the electrical constraints, using a new characterizing method. Theses results will allow the designer to incorporate the electromagnetic considerations in the conception of a converter

Physical, mineralogical and mechanical characterization of ready-mixed clay plaster

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