Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Dynamic stiffness”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12

Experimental transonic flutter characteristics of supersonic cruise configurations

The flutter characteristics of a generic arrow-wing supersonic transport configuration are studied. The wing configuration has a 3 percent biconvex airfoil and a leading-edge sweep of 73 deg out to a cranked tip with a 60 deg leading-edge sweep. The ground vibration tests and flutter test procedure are described. The effects of flutter on engine nacelles, fuel loading, wing-mounted vertical fin, wing angle-of-attack, and wing tip mass and stiffness distributions are analyzed. The data reveal that engine nacelles reduce the transonic flutter dynamic pressure by 25-30 percent; fuel loadings decrease dynamic pressures by 25 percent; 4-6 deg wing angles-of-attack cause steep transonic boundaries; and 5-10 percent changes in flutter dynamic pressures are the result of the wing-mounted vertical fin and wing-tip mass and stiffness distributions.

Durham, Michael H.↗

Static and dynamic characteristics of a piezoceramic strut

The experimental study of a piezoceramic active truss is presented. This active strut is unique in that the piezoceramic configurations allow the stroke length of the strut not to be dependent on the piezoceramic material's expansion range but on the deflection range of the piezoceramic bender segment. A finite element model of a piezoceramic strut segment was constructed. Piezoceramic actuation was simulated using thermally induced strains. This model yielded information on the stiffness and force range of a bender element. The static and dynamic properties of the strut were identified experimentally. Feedback control was used to vary the stiffness of the strut. The experimentally verified model was used to explore implementation possibilities of the strut.

Pokines, Brett J.↗

Evaluation of a stall-flutter spring-damper pushrod in the rotating control system of a CH-54B helicopter

Results of a design and flight test program conducted to define the effect of rotating pushrod damping on stall-flutter induced control loads are presented. The CH-54B helicopter was chosen as the test aircraft because it exhibited stall induced control loads. Damping was introduced into the CH-54B control system by replacing the standard pushrod with spring-damper assemblies. Design features of the spring-damper are described and the results of a dynamic analysis are shown which define the pushrod stiffness and damping requirements. Flight test measurements taken at 47,000 lb gross weight with and without the damper are presented. The results indicate that the spring-damper pushrods reduced high frequency, stall-induced rotating control loads by almost 50%. Fixed system control loads were reduced by 40%. Handling qualities in stall were unchanged, as expected.

Nettles, W. E.↗

The influence of unsteady aerodynamics on hingeless rotor ground resonance

Calculations of the model frequency and damping for a hingeless rotor on a gimballed support in hover are compared with measured results for two configurations (differing in blade flap stiffness). Good correlation is obtaned when an inflow dynamics model is used to account for the influence of the unsteady aerodynamics. The effect of the unsteady aerodynamics is significant for this rotor system. The inflow dynamics model introduces additional states corresponding to perturbations of the wake-induced velocity at the rotor disk. The calculations confirm the experimental observation that the inflow mode introduced by these additional states is measurable for one configuration but not for the other.

Johnson, W.↗

Experimental modal analysis of the fuselage panels of an Aero Commander aircraft

The reduction of interior noise in light aircraft was investigated with emphasis the thin fuselage sidewall. The approach used is theoretical and involves modeling of the sidewall panels and stiffeners. Experimental data obtained from tests investigating the effects of mass and stiffness treatments to the sidewalls are presented. The dynamic characteristics of treated panels are contrasted with the untreated sidewall panels using experimental modal analysis techniques. The results include the natural frequencies, modal dampling, and mode shapes of selected panels. Frequency response functions, data relating to the global fuselage response, and acoustic response are also presented.

Geisler, D.↗

The effect of nonlinearities on the dynamic response of a large shuttle payload

The STS Centaur was designed to be a high energy upper stage for use with the Space Shuttle. Two versions were designed under development when the program was cancelled. The first version, designated G-prime, was for planetary missions. The second version, designated G, was to place spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. As a part of the STS Centaur finite-element model verification effort, test articles of both versions were subjected to a series of static tests. In addition the Centaur G-prime test article was subjected to a series of dynamic tests including a modal survey. Both the static and dynamic tests showed that nonlinearities existed in the Centaur and its support system. The support system included flight-like latches. The nonlinearities were particularly apparent in tests that loaded the forward support structure of the Centaur. These test results were used to aid in the development of two improved finite-element models. The first was a linear model, while the second contained nonlinear elements at the boundaries. Results from both models were compared with the transient response obtained from a step-relaxation or twang test. The linear model was able to accurately match the low frequency response found in the test data. However, only the nonlinear model was able to match higher frequency response that was present in some of the test data. In addition the nonlinear model was able to predict other nonlinear behavior such as the dynamic jump that occurs in systems with nonlinear stiffness.

Sullivan, Timothy L.↗

Design and testing of a coaxial linear magnetic spring with integral linear motor

The design of a coaxial linear magnetic spring which incorporates a linear motor to control axial motion and overcome system damping is presented, and the results of static and dynamic tests are reported. The system has nominal stiffness 25,000 N/m and is designed to oscillate a 900-g component over a 4.6-mm stroke in a Stirling-cycle cryogenic refrigerator being developed for long-service (5-10-yr) space applications (Stolfi et al., 1983). Mosaics of 10 radially magnetized high-coercivity SmCO5 segments enclosed in Ti cans are employed, and the device is found to have quality factor 70-100, corresponding to energy-storage efficiency 91-94 percent. Drawings, diagrams, and graphs are provided.

Patt, P. J.↗

The effect of nonlinearities on the dynamic response of a large Shuttle payload

The STS Centaur was designed to be a high energy upper stage for use with the Space Shuttle. Two versions were designed and under development when the program was cancelled. The first version, designated G-prime, was designed for planetary missions. The second version, designated G, was designed to place spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. As a part of the STS Centaur finite-element model verification effort, test articles of both versions were subjected to a series of static tests. In addition the Centaur G-prime test article was subjected to a series of dynamic tests including a modal survey. Both the static and dynamic tests showed that nonlinearities existed in the Centaur and its support system. The support system included flight-like latches. The nonlinearities were particularly apparent in tests that loaded the forward support structure of the Centaur. These test results were used to aid in the development of two improved finite-element models. The first was a linear model, while the second contained nonlinear elements at the boundaries. Results from both models were compared with the transient response obtained from a step-relaxation or twang test. The linear model was able to accurately match the low frequency response found in the test data. However, only the nonlinear model was able to match higher frequency response that was present in some of the test data. In addition the nonlinear model was able to predict other nonlinear behavior such as the dynamic 'jump' that occurs in systems with nonlinear stiffness.

Sullivan, Timothy L.↗

Nonlinear characteristics of joints as elements of multi-body dynamic systems

As the connecting elements in multi-body structures, joints play a pivotal role in the overall dynamic response of these systems. Obviously, the linear stiffness of the joint strongly influences the system frequencies, but the joints are also likely to be the dominant sources of damping and nonlinearities, especially in aircraft and space structures. The general characteristics of such joints will be discussed. Then the state of the art in nonlinear joint characterization techniques will be surveyed. Finally, the impact that joints have on the overall response of structures will be evaluated.

Crawley, Edward F.↗

Structural modeling for control design (articulated multibody component representation)

High gain, high frequency flexible responses in gimbaled multibody systems are discussed. Their origin and physical significance are described in terms of detailed mass and stiffness modeling at actuator/sensor interfaces. Guyan Reduction, Generalized Dynamic Reduction, inadequate mass modeling detail, as well as system mode truncation, are shown to suppress the high gain high frequency response and thereby lose system flexibility important for stability and performance predictions. Model validation by modal survey testing is shown to risk similar loss of accuracy. Difficulties caused by high frequency responses in component mode simulations, such as DISCOS, and also linearized system mode simulations, are described, and approaches for handling these difficulties are discussed.

Haugse, E. D.↗

Model localization experiments on a ribbed antenna

In this paper, the model localization (ML) phenomenon is investigated experimentally and analytically to determine the influence of its parameters. For this purpose, a full-scale 12-rib loosely-coupled antenna testbed with small imperfections is dynamically tested for various levels of inter-rib coupling stiffness and excitation force. The experimental results are described herein. Using a simplified numerical model of the structure, a sensitivity analysis of the modal behavior is also performed. The numerical and experimental results are shown to agree remarkably well, thereby providing conclusive validation of the ML phenomenon on a testbed having the dynamic characteristics of space structures.

Levine-West, M. B.↗

A preliminary look at control augmented dynamic response of structures

The augmentation of structural characteristics, mass, damping, and stiffness through the use of control theory in lieu of structural redesign or augmentation was reported. The standard single-degree-of-freedom system was followed by a treatment of the same system using control augmentation. The system was extended to elastic structures using single and multisensor approaches and concludes with a brief discussion of potential application to large orbiting space structures.

Ryan, R. S.↗

Deflection Analysis of the Space Shuttle External Tank Door Drive Mechanism

Upon observing an abnormal closure of the Space Shuttle s External Tank Doors (ETD), a dynamic model was created in MSC/ADAMS to conduct deflection analyses of the Door Drive Mechanism (DDM). For a similar analysis, the traditional approach would be to construct a full finite element model of the mechanism. The purpose of this paper is to describe an alternative approach that models the flexibility of the DDM using a lumped parameter approximation to capture the compliance of individual parts within the drive linkage. This approach allows for rapid construction of a dynamic model in a time-critical setting, while still retaining the appropriate equivalent stiffness of each linkage component. As a validation of these equivalent stiffnesses, finite element analysis (FEA) was used to iteratively update the model towards convergence. Following this analysis, deflections recovered from the dynamic model can be used to calculate stress and classify each component s deformation as either elastic or plastic. Based on the modeling assumptions used in this analysis and the maximum input forcing condition, two components in the DDM show a factor of safety less than or equal to 0.5. However, to accurately evaluate the induced stresses, additional mechanism rigging information would be necessary to characterize the input forcing conditions. This information would also allow for the classification of stresses as either elastic or plastic.

Tosto, Michael A.↗

Dynamic analysis of flexible rotor-bearing systems using a modal approach

The generalized dynamic equations of motion were obtained by the direct stiffness method for multimass flexible rotor-bearing systems. The direct solution of the equations of motion is illustrated on a simple 3-mass system. For complex rotor-bearing systems, the direct solution of the equations becomes very difficult. The transformation of the equations of motion into modal coordinates can greatly simplify the computation for the solution. The use of undamped and damped system mode shapes in the transformation are discussed. A set of undamped critical speed modes is used to transform the equations of motion into a set of coupled modal equations of motion. A rapid procedure for computing stability, steady state unbalance response, and transient response of the rotor-bearing system is presented. Examples of the application of this modal approach are presented. The dynamics of the system is further investigated with frequency spectrum analysis of the transient response.

Choy, K. C.↗

Dynamic Aeroelastic Flight Dynamic Modeling of Mach 0.745 Transonic Truss-Braced Wing

This paper presents a modeling approach for dynamic aeroelastic flight dynamic analysis of the Mach0.745 Transonic Truss-Braced Wing. The modeling approach is based on a transonic correction method to correct the Theodorsen’s theory for transonic flow. CFD unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) simulations are conducted using FUN3D solver for a series of wing sections from the Mach 0.745Transonic Truss-Braced Wing in pitch and plunge oscillations. Unsteady lift and pitching moment coefficients are obtained and used to develop the correction terms in the Theodorsen’s theory to account for transonic aerodynamics. The unsteady lift and pitching moment derivatives with respect to the unsteady angle of attack are obtained as functions of the reduced frequency. These derivatives are used to compute the unsteady lift and pitching moment contributions by the angle of attack, pitch rate, and roll rate. They are then approximated using a frequency-domain regression to obtain the dynamic stability derivatives for the Mach 0.745 Transonic Truss-Braced Wing. The structural dynamic mode shapes of the Mach 0.745 TTBW are extracted from a NAS-TRAN finite-element model. These mode shapes are used to compute the generalized unsteady aerodynamic forces. The aerodynamic mass, damping, and stiffness and the aerodynamic lag states are constructed to couple the dynamic aeroelastic contribution to the flight dynamic model of the Mach 0.745 Transonic Truss-Braced Wing. The coupled dynamic aeroelastic flight dynamic equations of motion are formulated. The eigenvalues of the coupled system are computed. All the flight dynamic modes and structural dynamic modes are stable at Match 0.745. The effect of transonic aerodynamics generally causes all the dynamic modes to have lower damping values

Flight Dynamics↗

Computational Nanomechanics of Carbon Nanotubes and Composites

Nanomechanics of individual carbon and boron-nitride nanotubes and their application as reinforcing fibers in polymer composites has been reviewed with interplay of theoretical modeling, computer simulations and experimental observations. The emphasis in this work is on elucidating the multi-length scales of the problems involved, and of different simulation techniques that are needed to address specific characteristics of individual nanotubes and nanotube polymer-matrix interfaces. Classical molecular dynamics simulations are shown to be sufficient to describe the generic behavior such as strength and stiffness modulus but are inadequate to describe elastic limit and nature of plastic buckling at large strength. Quantum molecular dynamics simulations are shown to bring out explicit atomic nature dependent behavior of these nanoscale materials objects that are not accessible either via continuum mechanics based descriptions or through classical molecular dynamics based simulations. As examples, we discus local plastic collapse of carbon nanotubes under axial compression and anisotropic plastic buckling of boron-nitride nanotubes. Dependence of the yield strain on the strain rate is addressed through temperature dependent simulations, a transition-state-theory based model of the strain as a function of strain rate and simulation temperature is presented, and in all cases extensive comparisons are made with experimental observations. Mechanical properties of nanotube-polymer composite materials are simulated with diverse nanotube-polymer interface structures (with van der Waals interaction). The atomistic mechanisms of the interface toughening for optimal load transfer through recycling, high-thermal expansion and diffusion coefficient composite formation above glass transition temperature, and enhancement of Young's modulus on addition of nanotubes to polymer are discussed and compared with experimental observations.

Srivastava, Deepak↗

Probabilistic Component Mode Synthesis of Nondeterministic Substructures

Standard methods of structural dynamic analysis assume that the structural characteristics are deterministic. Recognizing that these characteristics are actually statistical in nature researchers have recently developed a variety of methods that use this information to determine probabilities of a desired response characteristic, such as natural frequency, without using expensive Monte Carlo simulations. One of the problems in these methods is correctly identifying the statistical properties of primitive variables such as geometry, stiffness, and mass. We present a method where the measured dynamic properties of substructures are used instead as the random variables. The residual flexibility method of component mode synthesis is combined with the probabilistic methods to determine the cumulative distribution function of the system eigenvalues. A simple cantilever beam test problem is presented that illustrates the theory.

Brown, Andrew M.↗

NERVA 400E thrust train dynamic analysis

The natural frequencies and dynamic responses of the NERVA 400E engine thrust train were determined for nuclear space operations (NSO), and earth-orbital shuttle (EOS) during launch and boost conditions. For NSO, a mini-tank configuration was analyzed with the forward end of the upper truss assumed fixed at the stage/mini-tank interface. For EOS, both a mini-tank and an engine only configuration were analyzed for a specific engine assembly support (EAS) stiffness. For all cases the effect of the shield on dynamic response characteristics was determined by performing parallel analyses with and without the shield. Gimbaling loads were not generated as that effort was scheduled after the termination date. The analysis, while demonstrating the adequacy of the engine design, revealed serious deficiencies in the EAS. Responses at the unsupported ends of the engine are excessive. Responses at the nuclear subsystem interface appear acceptable. It is recommended that additional analysis and design effort be expended upon the EAS to ensure that all engine responses stay within reasonable bounds.

Vronay, D. F.↗