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At least 289 records · Page 16

Design and Analysis of an X-Ray Mirror Assembly Using the Meta-Shell Approach

Lightweight and high resolution optics are needed for future space-based x-ray telescopes to achieve advances in high-energy astrophysics. Past missions such as Chandra and XMM-Newton have achieved excellent angular resolution using a full shell mirror approach. Other missions such as Suzaku and NuSTAR have achieved lightweight mirrors using a segmented approach. This paper describes a new approach, called meta-shells, which combines the fabrication advantages of segmented optics with the alignment advantages of full shell optics. Meta-shells are built by layering overlapping mirror segments onto a central structural shell. The resulting optic has the stiffness and rotational symmetry of a full shell, but with an order of magnitude greater collecting area. Several meta-shells so constructed can be integrated into a large x-ray mirror assembly by proven methods used for Chandra and XMM-Newton. The mirror segments are mounted to the meta-shell using a novel four point semi-kinematic mount. The four point mount deterministically locates the segment in its most performance sensitive degrees of freedom. Extensive analysis has been performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the four point mount and meta-shell approach. A mathematical model of a meta-shell constructed with mirror segments bonded at four points and subject to launch loads has been developed to determine the optimal design parameters, namely bond size, mirror segment span, and number of layers per meta-shell. The parameters of an example 1.3 m diameter mirror assembly are given including the predicted effective area. To verify the mathematical model and support opto-mechanical analysis, a detailed finite element model of a meta-shell was created. Finite element analysis predicts low gravity distortion and low sensitivity to thermal gradients.

module↗

SOME SHELL STABILITY PROBLEMS IN MISSILE AND SPACE VEHICLE ANALYSIS

A brief discussion is presented of three structural shell stability studies in progress at Lockheed Missiles & Space Company: the stabilizing influence of solid propellants, the effect of cushion stiffness on buckling under cushion loading, and the snap-through buckling of axially loaded cylinders. Recent analytical results are compared with test data. Also included is a brief description of a few shell stability problems of present interest to LMSC for which satisfactory methods of analysis are not available.

MISSILE↗

Original structures, and fragmentation and reassembly histories of asteroids - Evidence from meteorites

The validity of an onion shell model (OSM) for chondrite parent asteroids was assessed using metallographic cooling rates (MCR) derived from the compositions of metallic Fe-Ni grains. The hypothesis evaluated was that the hottest materials in chondrites would have been buried the deepest and cooled the slowest. The survey covered breccia from regolith and 13 different chondrites. The MCRs agreed well with cooling rates predicted by fission-track thermometry and Ar-40/Ar-39 ages. The OSM predicts an inverse correlation between the cooling rate and the petrographic type. Low correlations found between the MCRs and petrographic type indicate that chondrite parent asteroids were not assembled with onion shell structures.

Taylor, G. Jeffrey↗

On the formation and evolution of gaseous structures in Comet P/Halley

The possibility of a dynamic connection between the CN jets and CN shells in the coma of Comet P/Halley is here investigated through numerical simulations on the spatial and temporal evolution of gaseous jets. The evolution of such a jet into a shell is found to be straightforward for several geometries. It is noted that a closed shell structure may be due to a near-equatorial observational view of material derived from the active region near the nucleus equator.

Schulz, Rita↗

Energy dependence of $\textit{p}$ + 232 Th fission mass distributions: Mass-asymmetric standard I and standard II modes, and multichance fission

Background: The predominant mass-asymmetric fission of actinide nuclides occurs mainly through the so-called standard I and standard II modes. Though understood to be caused by shape-dependent shell structures encountered between the fission barrier deformation and scission, the most relevant shell gaps are still not firmly established. The standard I mode had been associated with the spherical doubly magic 132 Sn, and thus the $\textit{Z}$ = 50 proton shell, but recently it has been proposed that standard I and standard II are associated with quadrupole and octupole deformed gaps at $\textit{Z}$ = 52 and 56, respectively. Purpose: In this work, we investigate how the relative probabilities of the standard I and standard II modes vary with excitation energy near threshold, probing where the two modes bifurcate. Methods: The Australian National University Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility and CUBE fission spectrometer have been used to measure fission mass distributions for the $\textit{p}$ + 232 Th reaction (forming 233 Pa) at closely spaced bombarding energy intervals from 6.5 to 28 MeV. Results: A model-independent analysis of the energy dependence of the shape of the mass-asymmetric peak shows a strong dependence of the standard I and standard II relative probability on excitation energy near threshold. Conclusions: The results are consistent with the standard II mode having a lower fission barrier than standard I in 233 Pa, with the latter increasing continually in relative probability above its barrier energy. It is concluded that multichance fission, in particular last chance fission, plays a strong role in determining the observed energy dependence of all fission modes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Vibration of Shells

The vibrational characteristics and mechanical properties of shell structures are discussed. The subjects presented are: (1) fundamental equations of thin shell theory, (2) characteristics of thin circular cylindrical shells, (3) complicating effects in circular cylindrical shells, (4) noncircular cylindrical shell properties, (5) characteristics of spherical shells, and (6) solution of three-dimensional equations of motion for cylinders.

Leissa, A. W.↗

Buckling of axially compressed conical shells

The buckling of a truncated elastic conical shell subjected to an axial compression is a classical problem in shell structures. The paper reinvestigates the buckling of an axially compressed truncated conical shell with rigid bulkheads. Two improvements are achieved. First, the condition that the total horizontal displacement must vanish due to rigid bulkhead and axisymmetry is treated as a constraint. This constraint is incorporated into the system through the use of the Lagrange multiplier; then the variational method is used to derive a complete set of boundary conditions for conical shells. Second, the stability is evaluated in the deformed state using the asymptotic solutions of the pair of Donnell-type equations for axisymmetric configuration. The results indicate that the buckling strength of conical shells depends mainly on the condition of the smaller end. In addition to the vertex angle, the distance ratio plays, at least, an equally important role.

Chang, C.-H.↗

Fluid-structural interactions using Navier-Stokes flow equations coupled with shell finite element structures

A computational procedure is presented to study fluid-structural interaction problems for three-dimensional aerospace structures. The flow is modeled using the three-dimensional unsteady Euler/Navier-Stokes equations and solved using the finite-difference approach. The three dimensional structure is modeled using shell/plate finite-element formulation. The two disciplines are coupled using a domain decomposition approach. Accurate procedures both in time and space are developed to combine the solutions from the flow equations with those of the structural equations. Time accuracy is maintained using aeroelastic configuration-adaptive moving grids that are computed every time step. The work done by aerodynamic forces due to structural deformations is preserved using consistent loads. The present procedure is validated by computing the aeroelastic response of a wing and comparing with experiment. Results are illustrated for a typical wing-body configuration.

Guruswamy, Guru P.↗

Layer spacing gradient (NaLi) 1–x CoO 2 for electrochemical Li extraction

Designing materials with high Li to Na selectivity is the key for direct extraction of Li from unconventional sources, such as seawater, without complex separations. However, material discovery is hindered by an insufficient understanding on how a material's composition and structure relate to Li selectivity during electrochemical co-intercalation. Here, we synthesized a core-shell structured (NaLi) 1-x CoO 2 with a core Li phase (Li 0.94 CoO 2 ), a shell Na phase (Na 0.51 CoO 2 ), and a transition intermediate phase via Na ion-exchange of parent Li 1-x CoO 2 . We reveal that the chemical compositions and spatial relation of these phases play critical roles in governing high Li to Na selectivity. The core Li phase restricts large layer spacing expansion and inhibits Na intercalation. The shell Na phase serves to maintain the electrode stability against further Na ion exchange. With the layer spacing gradient design, we achieved a high Li selectivity of 1.5 x 10 5 with a recovery of similar to 7.6:1 Li to Na from 1:20,000 initial ratio.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Investigation of the Self-Assembly Behavior of Statistical Bottlebrush Copolymers via Self-Consistent Field Theory Simulations

Bottlebrush copolymers, a class of high-density side-chain-grafted copolymers with high molecular weights, have recently attracted extensive research attention due to the dramatic reduction of chain entanglement in these copolymers, unique self-assembly behaviors, and distinctive physical properties. In this study, we employ self-consistent field theory simulations to systemically investigate the phase behavior of statistical bottlebrush copolymers A-stat-B, an intriguing subclass of bottlebrush copolymers with random or alternating sequences of A and B side chains. We find that a broader variety of ordered mesophases can be stabilized in the melts of these copolymers relative to the more extensively studied bottlebrush block copolymers. In particular, we observe that these statistical copolymers can stabilize sphere phases over a larger range of species volume fractions than their diblock and tetrablock counterparts but require much higher segregation strength to achieve this. The sphere and hexagonally packed cylinder phases formed by conformationally symmetric statistical bottlebrush copolymers possess interesting discrete core–shell structures with the backbone and lower volume fraction side-chain species forming shells and cores, respectively. Moreover, we uncover a new strategy of stabilizing the Frank–Kasper phase A15 by introducing conformational asymmetry through different side-chain lengths and also observe deflection of order–order phase boundaries and significant mixing between the backbones and short side chains as conformational asymmetry is introduced.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The line spring model for surface flaws.

A model is discussed for the analysis of long part-through surface cracks in the walls of plate or shell structures. Such problems are formulated within the context of two dimensional plate and shell theory with the part-cracked section represented as a line-spring in the middle surface. The spring allows relative separations and rotations of the middle surface, and constitutive laws relating these discontinuities to the prevailing force and moment per unit length at any point are taken from the plane strain solution for a strip in combined tension and bending, which contains an edge crack of a corresponding depth. Prior work is reviewed and further line spring constitutive laws are discussed as appropriate to elastic analysis with thermal or residual stresses and to elastic-plastic analysis, with yielding in the ligament between the crack front and far wall in the latter case.

Rice, J. R.↗

Buckling Test and Analysis of the 8-Foot-Diameter Sandwich Composite Cylinder Test Article CTA8.2 as Part of the Shell Buckling Knockdown Factor Project: Test Dates 5-7 December 2017

It is well known that the buckling response of thin shell structures can be sensitive to small imperfections in the geometry and loading. The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Shell Buckling Knockdown Factor Project (SBKF) has the goal of developing buckling design recommendations for select classes of metallic and composite shells. Part of completed SBKF work is described in this report. In particular, the test and analysis results from the second SBKF composite test article, CTA8.2, are described. This test was the second in a series of tests on sandwich composite cylinders that can be used to experimentally validate analysis methods, which in turn can be used to develop analysis-based shell buckling design guidelines for sandwich composite launch-vehicle cylindrical structures. CTA8.2 was an 8-foot diameter honeycomb-core sandwich cylinder that was fabricated and tested at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The primary objectives of this test were to interrogate the structural capability of the composite test article, and to verify the test-article design and analysis approach for cylinders subjected to axial compression loads. This report contains the descriptions of the test-article design, fabrication, and test. The pre-test modeling and analysis methods, and corresponding results used in support of the test-article design and test planning, are also described. Additional post-test modeling and analysis efforts and results follow. Selected test results are compared to pre-test predictions and post-test analyses.

Adam Przekop↗

Nonlinear Buckling Analysis of Tow-Steered Composite Cylinders with Cutouts

The buckling and postbuckling behavior of two composite tow-steered shells with cutouts of different sizes is assessed using nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis and compared to experimental measurements. The cylindrical shells are manufactured using an automated fiber placement system, where the shells’ fiber orientation angles vary continuously around the shell circumference from 10 degrees on the crown and keel to 45 degrees on the sides. One shell features thickness variations due to tow overlaps that result from application of all 24 tows during each pass of the fiber placement system. The second shell uses the system’s tow drop/add capability to achieve a more uniform wall thickness without overlaps. Unreinforced cutouts of two different sizes—the first smaller cutout representing a passenger door on a commercial aircraft and the second larger cutout a cargo door—were machined into each of the two cylinders resulting in a total of four test cases. These cylinders were tested in axial compression and buckled elastically in previous work and are now analyzed using nonlinear FE models to compare bifurcation buckling loads as well as the load-displacement response in the prebuckling and postbuckling regimes. For all four shells analyzed, the prebuckling stiffness, buckling load, and deformation mode sequence throughout the loading-unloading cycle is accurately reproduced by the models. In particular, the shells first buckle locally around the cutouts in a stable (super-critical) manner with only a slight decrease in axial stiffness, which occurs due to the favorable load redistribution facilitated by tow steering. The shells then buckle globally in an unstable (sub-critical) manner with diamond-shaped buckles forming to the left and right of the cutouts. The buckling load of all shells with cutouts is at least 82% of the buckling load of the pristine shells without cutouts. Overall, the ability to sustain local buckling phenomena, and the relatively small reductions in global buckling load compared to pristine shells without cutouts, demonstrates the great potential of using tow steering to mitigate the adverse effects of cutouts in axially-compressed shell structures.

Buckling↗

Theory to test comparisons for selected aerospace multishell structures and their interfaces under thermomechanical loadings

Guidelines for structural shell analyses were obtained on the basis of theory-to-test comparisons made on two large-scale aerospace structures subject to thermomechanical loads. The first structural test was the cylindrical aluminum skin-stringer-ring construction of the S-IC forward skirt and S-II interstage. The second structural test included the truncated, cone-shaped, bonded honeycomb sandwich shell of the Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter; the cylindrical bonded aluminum honeycomb sandwich construction of the Instrument Unit; and the skin-stringer construction with rings and intercostals of the S-IVB forward skirt. Analyses were made for loadings simulating the flight environment. Elementary shear lag theory was superimposed on shell analysis for interface junctions between stages to obtain favorable theory-to-test stress comparisons.

Ferdie, R. D.↗

Shape Changes in the N = 28 Island of Inversion: Collective Structures Built on Configuration-Coexisting States in 43 S

The neutron-rich nuclei in the N = 28 island of inversion have attracted considerable experimental and theoretical attention, providing great insight into the evolution of shell structure and nuclear shape in exotic nuclei. In this study, for the first time, quadrupole collectivity is assessed simultaneously on top of the 3/2 - ground state and the 7/2 - shape-coexisting isomer of 43 S, putting the unique interpretation of shape and configuration coexistence at N = 27 and 28 in the sulfur isotopic chain to the test. From an analysis of the electromagnetic transition strengths and quadrupole moments predicted within the shell model, it is shown that the onset of shape coexistence and the emergence of a simple collective structure appear suddenly in 43 S with no indication of such patterns in the N = 27 isotone 45 Ar.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗