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At least 217 records · Page 12

Nonlinear dynamic analysis of solution multiplicity of buoyancy ventilation in a typical underground structure

Buoyancy ventilation is widely used in underground buildings, such as underground hydropower stations. Multiple solutions of buoyancy ventilation may exist in those underground structures. In this study, we developed a transient model comprising an ordinary differential equation system to describe buoyancy ventilation patterns in typical two-zone underground structures. Additionally, the accuracy of the model was validated. Nonlinear dynamical analysis was conducted to study multiple steady-state airflow. According to mathematical derivation, the configuration of one local heat source at the bottom corner introduces two stable solutions. The criterion to determine the stability and existence of solutions for more general scenarios was developed. Using this criterion, we obtained the multiple steady states of any two-zone underground buildings for different stack height ratios and the strength ratios of the heat sources. Furthermore, this criterion can be adopted for the design of buoyancy ventilation or natural smoke ventilation systems. Designers can change the height ratio of the stack or the heat ratio of two zones to induce the desired ventilation patterns. Finally, a case study was conducted with field measurements to demonstrate the use of the nonlinear dynamical analysis method to investigate the multiple steady states of buoyancy ventilation. Through the case study, we validated that the proposed criterion could produce the same result as the nonlinear dynamical analysis.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Nonlinear rotordynamics analysis

Three analytic consequences of the nonlinear Jeffcott equations are examined. The primary application of these analyses is directed toward understanding the excessive vibrations recorded in the Liquid Oxygen (LOX) pump of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) during hot firing ground testing. The first task is to provide bounds on the coefficients of the equations which delimit the two cases of numerical solution as a circle or an annulus. The second task examines the mathematical generalization to multiple forcing functions, which includes the special problems of mass imbalance, side force, rubbing, and combination of these forces. Finally, stability and boundedness of the steady-state solutions is discussed and related to the corresponding linear problem.

Day, W. B.↗

Nonlinear Structural Analysis Methodology and Dynamics Scaling of Inflatable Parabolic Reflector Antenna Concepts

Ultra-light weight and ultra-thin membrane inflatable antenna concepts are fast evolving to become the state-of-the-art antenna concepts for deep-space applications. NASA Langley Research Center has been involved in the structural dynamics research on antenna structures. One of the goals of the research is to develop structural analysis methodology for prediction of the static and dynamic response characteristics of the inflatable antenna concepts. This research is focused on the computational studies to use nonlinear large deformation finite element analysis to characterize the ultra-thin membrane responses of the antennas. Recently, structural analyses have been performed on a few parabolic reflector antennas of varying size and shape, which are referred in the paper as 0.3 meters subscale, 2 meters half-scale, and 4 meters full-scale antenna. The various aspects studied included nonlinear analysis methodology and solution techniques, ways to speed convergence in iterative methods, the sensitivities of responses with respect to structural loads, such as inflation pressure, gravity, and pretension loads in the ground and in-space conditions, and the ultra-thin membrane wrinkling characteristics. Several such intrinsic aspects studied have provided valuable insight into evaluation of structural characteristics of such antennas. While analyzing these structural characteristics, a quick study was also made to assess the applicability of dynamics scaling of the half-scale antenna. This paper presents the details of the nonlinear structural analysis results, and discusses the insight gained from the studies on the various intrinsic aspects of the analysis methodology. The predicted reflector surface characteristics of the three inflatable ultra-thin membrane parabolic reflector antenna concepts are presented as easily observable displacement fringe patterns with associated maximum values, and normal mode shapes and associated frequencies. Wrinkling patterns are presented to show how surface wrinkle progress with increasing tension loads. Antenna reflector surface accuracies were found to be very much dependent on the type and size of the antenna, the reflector surface curvature, reflector membrane supports in terms of spacing of catenaries, as well as the amount of applied load.

Sreekantamurthy, Tham↗

Develop advanced nonlinear signal analysis topographical mapping system

This study will provide timely assessment of SSME component operational status, identify probable causes of malfunction, and indicate feasible engineering solutions. The final result of this program will yield an advanced nonlinear signal analysis topographical mapping system (ATMS) of nonlinear and nonstationary spectral analysis software package integrated with the Compressed SSME TOPO Data Base (CSTDB) on the same platform. This system will allow NASA engineers to retrieve any unique defect signatures and trends associated with different failure modes and anomalous phenomena over the entire SSME test history across turbopump families.

Jong, Jen-Yi↗

Nonlinear dynamic analysis of quasi-symmetric anisotropic structures

An efficient computational method for the nonlinear dynamic analysis of quasi-symmetric anisotropic structures is proposed. The application of mixed models simplifies the analytical development and improves the accuracy of the response predictions, and operator splitting allows the reduction of the analysis model of the quasi-symmetric structure to that of the corresponding symmetric structure. The preconditoned conjugate gradient provides a stable and effective technique for generating the unsymmetric response of the structure as the sum of a symmetrized response plus correction modes. The effectiveness of the strategy is demonstrated with the example of a laminated anisotropic shallow shell of quadrilateral planform subjected to uniform normal loading.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗

Analysis of nonlinear internal waves in the New York Bight

An analysis of the nonlinear-internal-wave evolution in the New York Bight was performed on the basis of current meter mooring data obtained in the New York Bight during the SAR Internal Wave Signature Experiment (SARSEX). The solitary wave theory was extended to include dissipation and shoaling effects, and a series of numerical experiments were performed by solving the wave evolution equation, with waveforms observed in the SARSEX area as initial conditions. The results of calculations demonstrate that the relative balance of dissipation and shoaling effects is crucial to the detailed evolution of internal wave packets. From an observed initial wave packet at the upstream mooring, the numerical evolution simulation agreed reasonably well with the measurements at the distant mooring for the leading two large solitons.

Liu, Antony K.↗

Design sensitivity analysis of nonlinear structural response

A unified theory is described of design sensitivity analysis of linear and nonlinear structures for shape, nonshape and material selection problems. The concepts of reference volume and adjoint structure are used to develop the unified viewpoint. A general formula for design sensitivity analysis is derived. Simple analytical linear and nonlinear examples are used to interpret various terms of the formula and demonstrate its use.

Cardoso, J. B.↗

Hybrid Analytical Technique for Nonlinear Vibration Analysis of Thin-Walled Beams

A two-step hybrid analytical technique is presented for the nonlinear vibration analysis of thin-walled beams. The first step involves the generation of various-order perturbation functions using the Linstedt-Poincare perturbation technique. The second step consists of using the perturbation functions as coordinate (or approximation) functions and then computing both the amplitudes of these functions and the nonlinear frequency of vibration via a direct variational procedure. The analytical formulation is based on a form of the geometrically nonlinear beam theory with the effects of in-plane inertia, rotatory inertia, and transverse shear deformation included. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated by means of a numerical example of thin-walled beam with a doubly symmetric I-section. The solutions obtained using a single-spatial mode were compared with those obtained using multiple-spatial modes. The standard of comparison was taken to be the frequencies obtained by the direct integration/fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique. The nonlinear frequencies obtained by the hybrid technique were shown to converge to the corresponding ones obtained by the direct integration/fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique well beyond the range of applicability of the perturbation technique. The frequencies and total strain energy of the beam were overestimated by using a single-spatial mode.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗

Large displacements and stability analysis of nonlinear propeller structures

The use of linear rigid formats in COSMIC NASTRAN without DMAP procedures for the analysis of nonlinear propeller structures is described. Approaches for updating geometry and applying follower forces for incremental loading are demonstrated. Comparisons are made with COSMIC NASTRAN rigid formats and other independent finite element programs. Specifically, the comparisons include results from the four approaches for updating the geometry using RIGID FORMAT 1, RIGID FORMATS 4 and 13, MARC and MSC/NASTRAN. It is shown that 'user friendly' updating approaches (without DMAPS) can be used to predict the large displacements and instability of these nonlinear structures. These user friendly approaches can be easily implemented by the user and predict conservative results.

Aiello, R. A.↗

Large displacements and stability analysis of nonlinear propeller structures

The use of linear rigid formats in COSMIC NASTRAN without DMAP procedures for the analysis of nonlinear propeller structures is described. Approaches for updating geometry and applying follower forces for incremental loading are demonstrated. The COSMIC NASTRAN rigid formats and other independent finite element programs are compared. The comparisons include results from the four approaches for updating the geometry using RIGID FORMAT 1, RIGID FORMATS 4 and 13, MARC and MSC/NASTRAN. It is shown that user friendly updating approaches can be used to predict the large displacements and instability of these nonlinear structures. The approaches are easily implemented by the user and predict conservative results.

Aiello, R. A.↗

Theoretical hypervelocity ballistic limit for single or double plates using nonlinear modal analysis

The original research on the use on nonlinear vibration technique to solve for the hypervelocity ballistic limit for double plates is examined. Such structure is commonly found in typical Space Station design where the incoming space or man-made debris would be fragmented upon hitting the outer plate (shield) and the subsequent impact on the main wall would result in a much reduced damge of the space station or spacecraft. The existing few theoretical impact equations do not agree well with each other. The existing computer code bumper used at NASA-Johnson Space Center appears to predict an unconservative ballistic limit when compared with experimental data where the velocity ranges from 3 km/s to 8 km/s. Such unconservative prediction is unacceptable from a practical safe design point of view. The bumper code is based on Wilkinson's (1968) paper and his equations have not been improved nor modified even though they are viewed with suspicion due to lack of agreement with experiments. To make matters worse, there is not another theory which is better than Wilkinson's equation and the designers are forced to use purely empirical Nysmith (1969) or semiempirical equations developed by Cour-Palais in 1969. The Cour-Palais equations were later modified empirically in 1989. The purpose of the present investigation is to examine the many assumptions of the Wilkinson equation. An attempt is made to present design charts based on the modified-Wilkinson equation so that the designer can get a feel of the ranges of the parameters which are of interest and discard a huge range of parameters, thus, significantly reducing the number of test shots required. The analysis is based on a solution of the governing nonlinear differential equations for a plate, assuming axisymmetric behavior using polar coordinates.

Hui, David↗

Hybrid perturbation/Bubnov-Galerkin technique for nonlinear thermal analysis

A two step hybrid analysis technique to predict the nonlinear steady state temperature distribution in structures and solids is presented. The technique is based on the regular perturbation expansion and the classical Bubnov-Galerkin approximation. The functions are obtained by using the regular perturbation method. These functions are selected as coordinate functions and the classical Bubnov-Galerkin technique is used to compute their amplitudes. The potential of the proposed hybrid technique for the solution of nonlinear thermal problems is discussed. The effectiveness of this technique is demonstrated by the effects of conduction, convection, and radiation modes of heat transfer. It is indicated that the hybrid technique overcomes the two major drawbacks of the classical techniques: (1) the requirement of using a small parameter in the regular perturbation method; and (2) the arbitrariness in the choice of the coordinate functions in the Bubnov-Galerkin technique. The proposed technique extends the range of applicability of the regular perturbation method and enhances the effectiveness of the Bubnov-Galerkin technique.

Noor, A. K.↗

Geometrically Nonlinear Shell Analysis of Wrinkled Thin-Film Membranes with Stress Concentrations

Geometrically nonlinear shell finite element analysis has recently been applied to solar-sail membrane problems in order to model the out-of-plane deformations due to structural wrinkling. Whereas certain problems lend themselves to achieving converged nonlinear solutions that compare favorably with experimental observations, solutions to tensioned membranes exhibiting high stress concentrations have been difficult to obtain even with the best nonlinear finite element codes and advanced shell element technology. In this paper, two numerical studies are presented that pave the way to improving the modeling of this class of nonlinear problems. The studies address the issues of mesh refinement and stress-concentration alleviation, and the effects of these modeling strategies on the ability to attain converged nonlinear deformations due to wrinkling. The numerical studies demonstrate that excessive mesh refinement in the regions of stress concentration may be disadvantageous to achieving wrinkled equilibrium states, causing the nonlinear solution to lock in the membrane response mode, while totally discarding the very low-energy bending response that is necessary to cause wrinkling deformation patterns.

Tessler, Alexander↗

Linear and nonlinear dynamic analysis of redundant load path bearingless rotor systems

The goal of this research is to develop the transfer matrix method to treat nonlinear autonomous boundary value problems with multiple branches. The application is the complete nonlinear aeroelastic analysis of multiple-branched rotor blades. Once the development is complete, it can be incorporated into the existing transfer matrix analyses. There are several difficulties to be overcome in reaching this objective. The conventional transfer matrix method is limited in that it is applicable only to linear branch chain-like structures, but consideration of multiple branch modeling is important for bearingless rotors. Also, hingeless and bearingless rotor blade dynamic characteristics (particularly their aeroelasticity problems) are inherently nonlinear. The nonlinear equations of motion and the multiple-branched boundary value problem are treated together using a direct transfer matrix method. First, the formulation is applied to a nonlinear single-branch blade to validate the nonlinear portion of the formulation. The nonlinear system of equations is iteratively solved using a form of Newton-Raphson iteration scheme developed for differential equations of continuous systems. The formulation is then applied to determine the nonlinear steady state trim and aeroelastic stability of a rotor blade in hover with two branches at the root. A comprehensive computer program is developed and is used to obtain numerical results for the (1) free vibration, (2) nonlinearly deformed steady state, (3) free vibration about the nonlinearly deformed steady state, and (4) aeroelastic stability tasks. The numerical results obtained by the present method agree with results from other methods.

Murthy, V. R.↗

Stability analysis of nonlinear systems by multiple time scaling

The asymptotic solution for the transient analysis of a general nonlinear system in the neighborhood of the stability boundary was obtained by using the multiple-time-scaling asymptotic-expansion method. The nonlinearities are assumed to be of algebraic nature. Terms of order epsilon to the 3rd power (where epsilon is the order of amplitude of the unknown) are included in the solution. The solution indicates that there is always a limit cycle which is stable (unstable) and exists above (below) the stability boundary if the nonlinear terms are stabilizing (destabilizing). Extension of the solution to include fifth order nonlinear terms is also presented. Comparisons with harmonic balance and with multiple-time-scaling solution of panel flutter equations are also included.

Morino, L.↗

Program for analysis of nonlinear equilibrium and stability (PANES)

PANES utilizes improved techniques for analysis of structures with material and geometric nonlinearities, including limit point and bifurcations behavior which occurs in buckling and collapse problems. Incremental loading, Newton-Raphson iteration, and higher order methods are used in program.

Vos, R. G.↗