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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Turbulence modeling in aerodynamic shear flows - Status and problems

This paper briefly summarizes the status and problems of turbulence modeling for aerodynamical applications. For complex flows the 'approach of choice' is (increasingly) full second-order (Reynolds stress equation) closure. These closures have not yet developed to anywhere near their full potential, significant further research is required especially regarding length-scale equations, representation of pressure-strain correlations, and wall region treatments. Recent developments in computer capability, algorithms, numerical simulations, theory and quantitative flow visualization should assist in and hasten this research. Several problem areas such as shock interaction and discrete dynamic instabilities of turbulent flows may require mega-to-large eddy simulation or theoretical adjuncts.

Bushnell, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Fatigue response of perforated titanium for application in laminar flow control

The room temperature tensile and fatigue response of non-perforated and perforated titanium for laminar flow control application was investigated both experimentally and analytically. Results showed that multiple perforations did not affect the tensile response, but did reduce the fatigue life. A two dimensional finite element stress analysis was used to determine that the stress fields from adjacent perforations did not influence one another. The stress fields around the holes did not overlap one another, allowing the materials to be modeled as a plate with a center hole. Fatigue life was predicted using an equivalent MW flow size approach to relate the experimental results to microstructural features of the titanium. Predictions using flaw sizes ranging from 1 to 15 microns correlated within a factor of 2 with the experimental results by using a flow stress of 260 MPa. By using two different flow stresses in the crack closure model and correcting for plasticity, the experimental results were bounded by the predictions for high applied stresses. Further analysis of the complex geometry of the perforations and the local material chemistry is needed to further understand the fatigue behavior of the perforated titanium.

Johnson, W. Steven↗
DOE OSTI2012

Relationship Between Flowability And Tank Closure Grout Quality

After completion of waste removal and chemical cleaning operations, Tanks 5-F and 6-F await final closure. The project will proceed with completing operational closure by stabilizing the tanks with grout. Savannah River Remediation's (SRR) experience with grouting Tanks 18-F and 19-F showed that slump-flow values were correlated with flow/spread inside these tanks. Less mounding was observed when using grouts with higher slump-flow. Therefore, SRNL was requested to evaluate the relationship between flowability and cured properties to determine whether the slump-flow maximum spread of Mix LP#8-16 could be increased from 28 inches to 30 inches without impacting the grout quality. A request was also made to evaluate increasing the drop height from 5 feet to 10 feet with the objective of enhancing the flow inside the tank by imparting more kinetic energy to the placement. Based on a review of the grout property data for Mix LP#8-16 collected from Tank 18-F and 19-F quality control samples, the upper limit for slump-flow measured per ASTM C 1611 can be increased from 28 to 30 inches without affecting grout quality. However, testing should be performed prior to increasing the drop height from 5 to 10 feet or observations should be made during initial filling operations to determine whether segregation occurs as a function of drop heights between 5 and 10 feet. Segregation will negatively impact grout quality. Additionally, increasing the delivery rate of grout into Tanks 5-F and 6-F by using a higher capacity concrete/grout pump will result in better grout spread/flow inside the tanks.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS1977

Model for premixed turbulent flames

Flame speed and mean degree of reaction profiles are determined for an ensemble mean one-dimensional premixed turbulent flame. Elementary closure models are employed to treat turbulence closure problems arising from the nonlinear convective and chemical reaction rate terms in the time-dependent fuel conservation equation; a constant eddy diffusivity is useed to model correlation terms derived from the convective term. An expression developed for fuel consumption is solved to obtain the turbulent flame speed and the variation of mean fuel mass fraction across the flame. Comparison of the numerical analysis with experimental data indicates the importance of the quenching of the combustion reaction in high-wavenumber eddies.

Gouldin, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Three-dimensional nearfield characterization of a VSTOL jet in turbulent crossflow

This paper documents the measurement and prediction of the near-field evolution of the steady, subsonic, turbulent three-dimensional external aerodynamic flow-field associated with a high speed jet issued from an orifice perpendicular to an imposed crossflow velocity field. A parabolic Navier-Stokes CFD solver is employed, utilizing a Kappa-epsilon closure system with algebraic Reynolds stress equation, in concert with suitably defined porous far-field boundary conditions and a virtual source initial condition procedure. The CFD results correlate well with NASA generated near-field LDA experimental data on mean velocity and rms fluctuation velocity (interpolated to turbulent kinetic energy) distributions. The numerical results in the farther field predict the vortex roll-up and jet deflection/entrainment characterization verified by pitot-static mean velocity experimental data. Detailed results are presented for a circular jet for velocity ratios ranging 4 to 8.

Baker, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

An Improved Heat Budget Estimation Including Bottom Effects for General Ocean Circulation Models

This paper studies the effects of the underwater light field on heat-budget calculations of general ocean circulation models for shallow waters. The presence of a bottom significantly alters the estimated heat budget in shallow waters, which affects the corresponding thermal stratification and hence modifies the circulation. Based on the data collected during the COBOP field experiment near the Bahamas, we have used a one-dimensional turbulence closure model to show the influence of the bottom reflection and absorption on the sea surface temperature field. The water depth has an almost one-to-one correlation with the temperature rise. Effects of varying the bottom albedo by replacing the sea grass bed with a coral sand bottom, also has an appreciable effect on the heat budget of the shallow regions. We believe that the differences in the heat budget for the shallow areas will have an influence on the local circulation processes and especially on the evaporative and long-wave heat losses for these areas. The ultimate effects on humidity and cloudiness of the region are expected to be significant as well.

Carder, Kendall↗
DOE OSTI2018

Dry and hot: the hydraulic consequences of a climate change-type drought for Amazonian trees

How plants respond physiologically to leaf warming and low water availability may determine how they will perform under future climate change. In 2015-2016 an unprecedented drought occurred across Amazonia with record-breaking high temperatures and low soil moisture, offering a unique opportunity to evaluate the performances of Amazonian trees to a severe climatic event. We quantified the responses of leaf water potential, sap velocity, whole-tree hydraulic conductance (Kwt), turgor loss and xylem embolism, during and after the 2015-2016 El Niño for five canopy-tree species. Leaf/xylem safety margins (SM), sap velocity and Kwt showed a sharp drop during warm periods. SMs were negatively correlated with vapor pressure deficit but had no significant relationship with soil water storage. Based on our calculations of canopy stomatal and xylem resistances, the decrease in sap velocity and Kwt was due to a combination of xylem cavitation, and stomatal closure. Our results suggest extremely warm droughts greatly amplify the degree of trees’ physiological stress and can lead to mortality. Given the extreme nature of the 2015-2016 El Niño and that temperatures are predicted to increase, this work can serve as a case study of the possible impact climate warming can have on tropical trees.

Fontes, Clarissa G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The relationship between eddy-transport and second-order closure models for stratified media and for vortices

The question is considered of how complex a model should be used for the calculation of turbulent shear flows. At the present time there are models varying in complexity from very simple eddy-transport models to models in which all the equations for the nonzero second-order correlations are solved simultaneously with the equations for the mean variables. A discussion is presented of the relationship between these two models of turbulent shear flow. Two types of motion are discussed: first, turbulent shear flow in a stratified medium and, second, the motion in a turbulent line vortex. These two cases are instructive because in the first example eddy-transport methods have proven reasonably effective, whereas in the second, they have led to erroneous conclusions. It is not generally appreciated that the simplest form of eddy-transport theory can be derived from second-order closure models of turbulent flow by a suitably limiting process. This limiting process and the suitability of eddy-transport modeling for stratified media and line vortices are discussed.

Donaldson, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Calculation methods for compressible turbulent boundary layers

Calculation procedures for non-reacting compressible two- and three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers were reviewed. Integral, transformation and correlation methods, as well as finite difference solutions of the complete boundary layer equations summarized. Alternative numerical solution procedures were examined, and both mean field and mean turbulence field closure models were considered. Physics and related calculation problems peculiar to compressible turbulent boundary layers are described. A catalog of available solution procedures of the finite difference, finite element, and method of weighted residuals genre is included. Influence of compressibility, low Reynolds number, wall blowing, and pressure gradient upon mean field closure constants are reported.

Bushnell, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS2007

A Semi-Analytical Method for Determining the Energy Release Rate of Cracks in Adhesively-Bonded Single-Lap Composite Joints

A semi-analytical method for determining the strain energy release rate due to a prescribed interface crack in an adhesively-bonded, single-lap composite joint subjected to axial tension is presented. The field equations in terms of displacements within the joint are formulated by using first-order shear deformable, laminated plate theory together with kinematic relations and force equilibrium conditions. The stress distributions for the adherends and adhesive are determined after the appropriate boundary and loading conditions are applied and the equations for the field displacements are solved. Based on the adhesive stress distributions, the forces at the crack tip are obtained and the strain energy release rate of the crack is determined by using the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT). Additionally, the test specimen geometry from both the ASTM D3165 and D1002 test standards are utilized during the derivation of the field equations in order to correlate analytical models with future test results. The system of second-order differential field equations is solved to provide the adherend and adhesive stress response using the symbolic computation tool, Maple 9. Finite element analyses using J-integral as well as VCCT were performed to verify the developed analytical model. The finite element analyses were conducted using the commercial finite element analysis software ABAQUS. The results determined using the analytical method correlated well with the results from the finite element analyses.

Yang, Charles↗
NASA NTRS1999

Fatigue Analyses Under Constant- and Variable-Amplitude Loading Using Small-Crack Theory

Studies on the growth of small cracks have led to the observation that fatigue life of many engineering materials is primarily "crack growth" from micro-structural features, such as inclusion particles, voids, slip-bands or from manufacturing defects. This paper reviews the capabilities of a plasticity-induced crack-closure model to predict fatigue lives of metallic materials using "small-crack theory" under various loading conditions. Constraint factors, to account for three-dimensional effects, were selected to correlate large-crack growth rate data as a function of the effective stress-intensity factor range (delta-Keff) under constant-amplitude loading. Modifications to the delta-Keff-rate relations in the near-threshold regime were needed to fit measured small-crack growth rate behavior. The model was then used to calculate small-and large-crack growth rates, and to predict total fatigue lives, for notched and un-notched specimens under constant-amplitude and spectrum loading. Fatigue lives were predicted using crack-growth relations and micro-structural features like those that initiated cracks in the fatigue specimens for most of the materials analyzed. Results from the tests and analyses agreed well.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Analyses of Fatigue and Fatigue-Crack Growth under Constant- and Variable-Amplitude Loading

Studies on the growth of small cracks have led to the observation that fatigue life of many engineering materials is primarily crack growth from micro-structural features, such as inclusion particles, voids, slip-bands or from manufacturing defects. This paper reviews the capabilities of a plasticity-induced crack-closure model to predict fatigue lives of metallic materials using small-crack theory under various loading conditions. Constraint factors, to account for three-dimensional effects, were selected to correlate large-crack growth rate data as a function of the effective stress-intensity factor range (delta K(sub eff)) under constant-amplitude loading. Modifications to the delta K(sub eff)-rate relations in the near-threshold regime were needed to fit measured small-crack growth rate behavior. The model was then used to calculate small- and large-crack growth rates, and to predict total fatigue lives, for notched and un-notched specimens under constant-amplitude and spectrum loading. Fatigue lives were predicted using crack-growth relations and micro-structural features like those that initiated cracks in the fatigue specimens for most of the materials analyzed. Results from the tests and analyses agreed well.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Alpine forest-tundra ecotone response to temperature change,Sayan Mountains, Siberia

Models of climate change predict shifts of vegetation zones. Tree response to climate trends is most likely observable in the forest-tundra ecotone, where temperature mainly limits tree growth. There is evidence of vegetation change on the northern treeline However, observations on alpine tree line response are controversial. In this NEESPI related study we show that during the past three decades in the forest-tundra ecotone of the Sayan Mountains, Siberia, there was an increase in forest stand crown closure, regeneration propagation into the alpine tundra, and transformation of prostrate Siberian pine and fir into arboreal forms. We found that these changes occurred since the mid 1980s, and strongly correlates with positive temperature (and to a lesser extent, precipitation) trends. Improving climate for forest growth( i.e., warmer temperatures and increased precipitation) provides competitive advantages to Siberian pine in the alpine forest-tundra ecotone, as well as in areas typically dominated by larch, where it has been found to be forming a secondary canopy layer. Substitution of deciduous conifer, larch, for evergreen conifers, decreases albedo and provides positive feedback for temperature increase.

Ranson, K Jon↗
DOE OSTI2020

An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for concurrent measurements of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence and hyperspectral reflectance toward improving crop monitoring

Unmanned aerial system (UAS)-based remote sensing can provide high spatial- and temporal-resolution crop monitoring for precision management. Existing crop monitoring UAS primarily use conventional techniques such as multi-spectral broadband vegetation indices (VIs) to track canopy structure/biomass. Recently developed lightweight hyperspectral sensors can track crop physiology and performance via complementary signals such as solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) and photochemical reflectance index (PRI) that can be derived from hyperspectral reflectance. However, few existing UAS can acquire high-quality SIF and hyperspectral reflectance. Here, we designed a novel UAS that simultaneously captures far-red SIF and hyperspectral reflectance, using a single bifurcated fiber and motorized arm to measure downwelling and upwelling irradiance. The UAS was tested over (1) a heterogeneous corn field with spatially varying crop yield potential and (2) a set of soybean and corn plots under differing nutrient treatments. Our UAS can maintain stability under low-to-moderate winds (2–3 m/s) with <0.4 m geolocation accuracy, <0.1 m altitude drift, and <1.5° error of the fiber optic from nadir position during scanning. Weekly seasonal campaigns reveal that SIF outperforms conventional VIs such as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) for distinguishing plots with different crop yield potential, especially after canopy closure when NDVI tends to saturate. The UAS can capture the diurnal dynamics of SIF and PRI for both corn and soybean. At the seasonal scale, SIF acquired from the UAS correlates well with that from a fixed SIF tower system ( R 2 = 0.81), which measured the same target albeit with different footprints, demonstrating the capability of UAS in characterizing the seasonal progression of crop activity. In conclusion, our newly developed UAS provides high-quality SIF and hyperspectral reflectance, facilitating mechanistic understanding of the physiological control on photosynthesis dynamics. Our findings also imply that this UAS could enable extension of fixed tower-based systems to monitor multiple targets from diurnal to seasonal scales and improve monitoring of heterogeneous fields.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Strong Correspondence in Evapotranspiration and Carbon Dioxide Fluxes Between Different Eddy Covariance Systems Enables Quantification of Landscape Heterogeneity in Dryland Fluxes

Abstract The eddy covariance method is widely used to investigate fluxes of energy, water, and carbon dioxide at landscape scales, providing important information on how ecological systems function. Flux measurements quantify ecosystem responses to environmental perturbations and management strategies, including nature‐based climate‐change mitigation measures. However, due to the high cost of conventional instrumentation, most eddy covariance studies employ a single system, limiting spatial representation to the flux footprint. Insufficient replication may be limiting our understanding of ecosystem behavior. To address this limitation, we deployed eight lower‐cost eddy covariance systems in two clusters around two conventional eddy covariance systems in the Chihuahuan Desert of North America for a period of 2 years. These dryland settings characterized by large temperature variations and relatively low carbon dioxide fluxes represented a challenging setting for eddy covariance. We found very good closure of energy and water balance across all systems (within ±9% of unity). We found very good correspondence between the lower‐cost and conventional systems' fluxes of sensible heat (with concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of ≥0.87), latent energy (evapotranspiration; CCC ≥ 0.89), and useful correspondence in the net ecosystem exchange ((NEE); with CCC ≥ 0.4) at the daily temporal resolution. Relative to the conventional systems, the low‐frequency systems were characterized by a higher level of random error, particularly in the NEE fluxes. Lower‐cost systems can enable wider deployment affording better replication and sampling of spatiotemporal variability at the expense of greater measurement noise that might be limiting for certain applications. Replicated eddy covariance observations may be useful when addressing gaps in the existing monitoring of critical and underrepresented ecosystems and for measuring areas larger than a single flux footprint.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1993

Critical comparison of second-order closures with direct numerical simulations of homogeneous turbulence

Recently, several models have been proposed for closing the second-moment equations, in which the velocity-pressure gradient tensor and the dissipation rate tensor are two of the most important terms. In the literature, these correlation tensors are usually decomposed into a so-called rapid term and a return-to-isotropy term. Models of these terms have been used in global flow calculations together with other modeled terms. However, their individual behaviors in different flows have not been fully examined because they are unmeasurable in the laboratory. Recently, the development of direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulence has given us the possibility to do this kind of study. With direct numerical simulation, we may use the solution to calculate exactly the values of these correlation terms and then directly compare them with the values from their modeled formulations. In this paper, we make direct comparisons of five representative rapid models and eight return-to-isotropy models using the DNS data of 45 homogeneous flows, which were done by Rogers et al. (1986) and Lee and Reynolds (1985). The purpose of these direct comparisons is to explore the performance of these models in different flows and identify the ones that give the best performance. The paper also describes the modeling procedure, model constraints, and the various evaluated models. The detailed results of the direct comparisons are discussed, and a few concluding remarks on turbulence models are given.

Shih, Tsan-Hsing↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fully kinetic simulations of strong steady-state collisional planar plasma shocks

We report on simulations of strong, steady-state collisional planar plasma shocks with fully kinetic ions and electrons, independently confirmed by two fully kinetic codes (an Eulerian continuum and a Lagrangian particle-in-cell). While kinetic electrons do not fundamentally change the shock structure as compared with fluid electrons, we find an appreciable rearrangement of the preheat layer, associated with nonlocal electron heat transport effects. The electron heat-flux profile qualitatively agrees between kinetic- and fluid-electron models, suggesting a certain level of “stiffness,” though substantial nonlocality is observed in the kinetic heat flux. We also find good agreement with nonlocal electron heat-flux closures proposed in the literature. Finally, in contrast to the classical hydrodynamic picture, we find a significant collapse in the “precursor” electric-field shock at the preheat layer leading edge, which correlates with the electron-temperature gradient relaxation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Microtopography‐induced transient waterlogging affects switchgrass (Alamo) growth in the lower coastal plain of North Carolina, USA

Abstract Very limited information is currently available on growth responses of switchgrass (lowland cultivars) to transient waterlogging in lowland or poorly drained areas. This study investigated impacts of microtopography‐induced transient waterlogging on switchgrass (Alamo cultivar) growth, represented by leaf‐level gas exchange and biomass yield, in an established experimental field located in the Atlantic coastal plain of North Carolina, USA . Intensive leaf‐level gas exchange measurements were conducted on switchgrass at paired spots with distinct elevations in three sub‐blocks. Aboveground biomass was randomly collected across the study field to explore the potential impacts of the transient waterlogging on biomass yield. The sum of excess water ( SEW ) was calculated based on measured instantaneous water table depth to generalize the relationship between biomass yield and intensity of transient waterlogging. Results showed significant ( P ≤ 0.0001) treatment effects on leaf‐level gas exchange, characterized by evident reduction in both CO 2 assimilation rate and stomatal conductance when water table was at or near the soil surface at low positions. Negative impacts of transient waterlogging on leaf‐level gas exchange became more evident with the increasing of elevation differences between paired subplots. Stomatal closure was found to be the main mechanism responsible for the decline of net assimilation under transient waterlogging. Aboveground biomass yields of switchgrass showed relatively high spatial variability and were positively and linearly correlated with microtopography (represented by elevation in the analysis) ( P < 0.03, R 2 > 0.77). Further analysis showed that biomass yields were negatively correlated with SEW ( P < 0.001, R 2 > 0.6) with an exponential relationship. Results of this study strongly demonstrated transient waterlogging could negatively affect switchgrass growth by suppressing leaf‐level gas exchange rates and ultimately reducing biomass yield. Findings from this study have critical implications for evaluating the economic viability of growing switchgrass on marginal lands that are subject to transient waterlogging stresses.

Tian, Shiying↗