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At least 289 records · Page 16

Modelling chaotic vibrations using NASTRAN

Due to the unavailability and, later, prohibitive cost of the computational power required, many phenomena in nonlinear dynamic systems have in the past been addressed in terms of linear systems. Linear systems respond to periodic inputs with periodic outputs, and may be characterized in the time domain or in the frequency domain as convenient. Reduction to the frequency domain is frequently desireable to reduce the amount of computation required for solution. Nonlinear systems are only soluble in the time domain, and may exhibit a time history which is extremely sensitive to initial conditions. Such systems are termed chaotic. Dynamic buckling, aeroelasticity, fatigue analysis, control systems and electromechanical actuators are among the areas where chaotic vibrations have been observed. Direct transient analysis over a long time period presents a ready means of simulating the behavior of self-excited or externally excited nonlinear systems for a range of experimental parameters, either to characterize chaotic behavior for development of load spectra, or to define its envelope and preclude its occurrence.

Sheerer, T. J.↗

Panel Flutter and Sonic Fatigue Analysis for RLV

A methodology is presented for the flutter analysis of the seal of thermal protection system (TPS) panel of X-33 Advanced Technology Demonstrator test vehicle. The seal is simulated as a two-dimensional cantilevered panel with an elastic stopper, which is modeled as an equivalent spring. This cantilever beam-spring model under the aerodynamic pressure at supersonic speeds turns out to be an impact nonlinear dynamic system. The flutter analysis of the seal is thus carried out using, time domain numerical simulation with a displacement stability criterion. The flutter boundary of the seal is further verified with a family of three traditional and one nontraditional panel flutter models. The frequency domain method that applies eigenanalysis on the traditional panel flutter problem was used. The results showed that the critical dynamic pressure could be more than doubled with properly chosen material for the base stopper. The proposed methodology can be easily extended to three-dimensional panel seals with flow angularity.

Mei, Chuh↗

On the mechanical behavior of a Nb 3 Sn superconducting coil during a quench: Two-dimensional finite element analysis of a quench heater protected magnet

New high-field accelerator magnets based on $Nb_3Sn$ superconductors are pushing the boundaries of magnet design and quench protection towards new limits. While their large stored energies and current densities result in a very challenging scenario for magnet protection, their great electromagnetic forces create also new requirements in terms of magnet design and stress management techniques. Furthermore, the strain sensitivity of $Nb_3Sn$ cables turns the electro-mechanical limits of the conductor into a parameter of the highest importance, where conductor degradation becomes a critical aspect in magnet operation. The coupling of all the above-mentioned considerations during quench is a case of special interest that adds further complexity to the design of $Nb_3Sn$ magnets. The objective of this paper is to provide a complete two-dimensional investigation of the coil and magnet structure mechanics during a quench event. Here, the analysis is performed using a combination of finite element codes that provide the necessary input for the mechanical study. The core of the modelling strategy relies on a thermal-electric model, whose results are directly used as loads in the mechanical simulation. In doing so, the stress evolution during and after a quench is obtained. We focus for this time in the analysis of a quench heater protected magnet, where dynamic effects are of less importance in contrast to other protection systems like CLIQ.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Superconvergence of Online Optimization for Model Predictive Control

We develop a one-Newton-step-per-horizon, online, lag-L, model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for solving discrete-time, equality-constrained, nonlinear dynamic programs. Based on recent sensitivity analysis results for the target problems class, we prove that the approach exhibits a behavior that we call superconvergence; that is, the tracking error with respect to the full horizon solution is not only stable for successive horizon shifts, but also decreases with increasing shift order to a minimum value that decays exponentially in the length of the receding horizon. The key analytical step is the decomposition of the one-step error recursion of our algorithm into algorithmic error and perturbation error. We show that the perturbation error decays exponentially with the lag between two consecutive receding horizons, while the algorithmic error, determined by Newton’s method, achieves quadratic convergence instead. Overall this approach induces our local exponential convergence result in terms of the receding horizon length for suitable values of L. In conclusion, numerical experiments validate our theoretical findings.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Syntrophic Co-Cultures of Clostridium Organisms to Produce Higher Alcohols & Other C6-C8 Metabolites (Final Report)

The goal of this project was to advance the systems biology understanding and predictive modeling of synthetic & syntrophic Clostridium microbial consortia, focusing on elucidation of metabolic networks and environmental signals in the consortia. The project has direct applicability to lignocellulosic-biomass based production of higher alcohols as advanced biofuels and C6-C8 metabolites, that can be used as chemicals or serve as biofuel precursors. This project studied and optimized three synthetic syntrophic systems. It examined the population dynamics using flow-cytometry, time-lapse microscopy and PCR analysis. 13C-based tracer analyses was used to examine the metabolite exchange between the syntrophic cell populations and the impact of those interactions on the transcriptome of the individual populations. To enhance our analytical and predictive capabilities, genome-scale models (GSMs) for these syntrophies was developed. RNAseq data for these syntrophic coculture systems were acquired to enable a molecular level understanding of the syntrophies aiming to identify the genetic networks of each organism in the co-culture and compare those against the networks of pure cultures.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

A mesoscale sixth-order numerical modelling system

A numerical simulation system is currently under development for NASA which is intended to improve the modeling of subsynoptic and mesoscale adjustments associated with cyclogenesis, severe storm development and atmospheric transport processes. The model utilizes a standard hydrostatic sigma-p coordinate primitive equation set, with x,y-space differencing accurate to eighth order. A three-step dynamic initialization procedure is employed between the analysis of real-time data and grid interpolation. Results of an 18-hour simulation during which synoptic scale cyclogenesis, subsynoptic scale jet streak adjustments, mesoscale convergence zones and tornadic storms were observed have shown the present model to have the potential for simulating the fine-scale structure of features associated with cyclogenesis and intense squall-line development. The mesoscale model was also found to produce less truncation than the NWS LFM model, although a frictionless version of the mesoscale model somewhat overdeepens and overaccelerates features.

Kaplan, M. L.↗

Structural and aerodynamic loads and performance measurements of an SA349/2 helicopter with an advanced geometry rotor

A flight test program was conducted to obtain data from an upgraded Gazelle helicopter with an advanced geometry, three bladed rotor. Data were acquired on upper and lower surface chordwise blade pressure, blade bending and torsion moments, and fuselage structural loads. Results are presented from 16 individual flight conditions, including level flights ranging from 10 to 77 m/sec at 50 to 3000 m altitude, turning flights up to 2.0 g, and autorotation. Rotor aerodynamic data include information from 51 pressure transducers distributed chordwise at 75, 88, and 97% radial stations. Individual tranducer pressure coefficients and airfoil section lift and pitching moment coefficients are presented, as are steady state flight condition parameters and time dependence rotor loads. All dynamic data are presented as harmonic analysis coefficients.

Heffernan, Ruth M.↗

InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb Heterojunction Phototransistors for Infrared Applications

High quality infrared (IR) quantum detectors are important for several applications, such as atmospheric remote sensing, chemical detection and absorption spectroscopy. Although several IR detectors are commercially available, with different materials and structures, they provide limited performance regarding the signal-to-noise ratio and the corresponding minimum detectable signal. InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb heterojunction based phototransistors show strong potential for developing IR sensors with improved performance. In this paper, the performance of a novel npn InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb heterojunction phototransistor is presented. This performance study is based on experimental characterization of the device dark current, noise and spectral response. Detectivity of 1.7x10(exp 9) cmHz(exp 1/2)/W at 2 microns was obtained at 100 C temperature and 2 V bias voltage. This corresponds to a responsivity of 94.7 A/W and an internal gain of 156 with about 37.7% quantum efficiency. Reducing the temperature to -30 C allows to increase the bias to 3V and enhance the detectivity to 8.7x10(exp 10) cmHz(exp 1/2)/W at the same wavelength, which corresponds to a responsivity of 386.5 A/W and an internal gain of 288.2 with about 83.3% quantum efficiency. The device impulse response and linearity, including the corresponding dynamic range, also are presented. Impulse response analysis indicated a settling time of about 1.1 s at 2V and 100 C, while linearity measurements indicated a constant responsivity in the radiation intensity range of 1.6x10(exp -7) W/sq cm and 31.6 mW/sq cm.

Refaat, Tamer F.↗

First Results of Venus Express Spacecraft Observations with Wettzell

The ESA Venus Express spacecraft was observed at X-band with the Wettzell radio telescope in October-December 2009 in the framework of an assessment study of the possible contribution of the European VLBI Network to the upcoming ESA deep space missions. A major goal of these observations was to develop and test the scheduling, data capture, transfer, processing, and analysis pipeline. Recorded data were transferred from Wettzell to Metsahovi for processing, and the processed data were sent from Mets ahovi to JIVE for analysis. A turnover time of 24 hours from observations to analysis results was achieved. The high dynamic range of the detections allowed us to achieve a milliHz level of spectral resolution accuracy and to extract the phase of the spacecraft signal carrier line. Several physical parameters can be determined from these observational results with more observational data collected. Among other important results, the measured phase fluctuations of the carrier line at different time scales can be used to determine the influence of the solar wind plasma density fluctuations on the accuracy of the astrometric VLBI observations.

Calves, Guifre Molera↗

Dynamic Network Analysis of Nuclear Science Literature for Research Influence Assessment

Analyzing nuclear science literature via data-driven methods is a critical step for assessing research influence and technology advancements. Indicators of scholarly activities may be buried in large volumes of nuclear research publications and collaboration networks over time. Mining for relevant scholarly influence trends in large volumes of text can be computationally challenging; however, open-source information on research collaborations over time can offer opportunities to extract meaningful insights. While network centrality analysis of scholarly research provides topology-based insights, additional emphasis on dynamics associated with the diffusion of information through these networks is important. Here this paper represents a step in that direction through the development of a novel dynamic network analysis framework and computational engine to identify key entities and capabilities over time within global scholarly nuclear science collaboration networks. Network theoretic, stochastic simulation, and optimization methods are leveraged to address variability in scholarly interactions, influence propagation, and collaboration patterns via network connections. A topic-aware influence maximization algorithm is developed to address the goal of identifying key influential authors in diverse research topics over time. Efficient parallelized implementation of the algorithm is applied to reduce computational costs. A proof-of-concept case study using open-source Scopus data with 33,517 published nuclear research papers from 2000-2019 is presented and representative analytic insights are generated. Broad implications of these insights are discussed and future research directions are also identified.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

Safety Benefits Assessment for Accident Tolerant Fuels in Consideration of Steam Generator Tube Degradation Using Dynamic Event Tree Analysis

Accident tolerant fuel (ATF) is expected to delay or prevent core damage by providing additional coping time under accidents involving loss of core cooling. The effect of extended coping time may vary depending on the plant response to accidents. Age-related component degradation that deteriorates plant performance over time could have an impact on the actual advantages of ATF. The potential safety benefits of two near-term ATF candidates, including Cr-coated Zr cladding and FeCrAl cladding, are assessed for a 2-in. loss-of-coolant accident with failed high-pressure safety injection using the dynamic event tree (DET) approach considering possible stress corrosion cracking of steam generator (SG) tubing under aging. The DET approach allows likelihood quantification of accident sequences leading to core damage, including stochastic variation of system response and human actions during accident mitigation. The safety benefits of the selected ATF claddings in terms of additional coping time and the core damage frequency reduction rate under specified accident situations were quantitatively estimated. The results show that the deployment of the two selected ATF claddings is expected to lead to longer coping times and lower core damage frequency due to the wider safety margin to peak cladding temperature they provide. The safety advantages would be greater as SG tube degradation proceeds. Thus, the two ATF candidates would lead to less severe consequences in terms of likelihood of core damage and susceptibility to the SG tube degradation than UO 2 -Zr fuel.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Heart rate and respiratory rhythm dynamics on ascent to high altitude

OBJECTIVE--To investigate the alterations in autonomic control of heart rate at high altitude and to test the hypothesis that hypoxaemic stress during exposure to high altitude induces non-linear, periodic heart rate oscillations, similar to those seen in heart failure and the sleep apnoea syndrome. SUBJECTS--11 healthy subjects aged 24-64. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--24 hour ambulatory electrocardiogram records obtained at baseline (1524 m) and at 4700 m. Simultaneous heart rate and respiratory dynamics during 2.5 hours of sleep by fast Fourier transform analysis of beat to beat heart rate and of an electrocardiographically derived respiration signal. RESULTS--All subjects had resting hypoxaemia at high altitude, with an average oxyhaemoglobin saturation of 81% (5%). There was no significant change in mean heart rate, but low frequency (0.01-0.05 Hz) spectral power was increased (P < 0.01) at high altitude. Time series analysis showed a complex range of non-linear sinus rhythm dynamics. Striking low frequency (0.04-0.06 Hz) heart rate oscillations were observed during sleep in eight subjects at high altitude. Analysis of the electrocardiographically derived respiration signal indicated that these heart rate oscillations correlated with low frequency respiratory oscillations. CONCLUSIONS--These data suggest (a) that increased low frequency power during high altitude exposure is not simply attributable to increased sympathetic modulation of heart rate, but relates to distinctive cardiopulmonary oscillations at approximately 0.05 Hz and (b) that the emergence of periodic heart rate oscillations at high altitude is consistent with an unstable cardiopulmonary control system that may develop on acute exposure to hypoxaemic stress.

Non-NASA Center↗

Space Shuttle Main Engine structural analysis and data reduction/evaluation. Volume 7: High pressure fuel turbo-pump third stage impeller analysis

This volume summarizes the analysis used to assess the structural life of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) High Pressure Fuel Turbo-Pump (HPFTP) Third Stage Impeller. This analysis was performed in three phases, all using the DIAL finite element code. The first phase was a static stress analysis to determine the mean (non-varying) stress and static margin of safety for the part. The loads involved were steady state pressure and centrifugal force due to spinning. The second phase of the analysis was a modal survey to determine the vibrational modes and natural frequencies of the impeller. The third phase was a dynamic response analysis to determine the alternating component of the stress due to time varying pressure impulses at the outlet (diffuser) side of the impeller. The results of the three phases of the analysis show that the Third Stage Impeller operates very near the upper limits of its capability at full power level (FPL) loading. The static loading alone creates stresses in some areas of the shroud which exceed the yield point of the material. Additional cyclic loading due to the dynamic force could lead to a significant reduction in the life of this part. The cyclic stresses determined in the dynamic response phase of this study are based on an assumption regarding the magnitude of the forcing function.

Pool, Kirby V.↗

Upper atmosphere dynamics

The spatial distribution of stratospheric ozone is useful in diagnosis of some features of the large scale atmospheric circulation, and the ozone may also interact with the atmospheric general circulation. Local maxima in the column ozone distribution are often associated with disturbances in the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere, which may herald cyclone development in the troposphere. One research objective is to explore these issues by means of time series analysis of a zonal index of total column ozone, to suggest the existence or nonexistence of relationships between column ozone and dynamical processes which are known to occur on various time scales. Another objective is to investigate the correlation between the ozone mixing ratio on the 350 K isentropic surface and the column integrated ozone, and to investigate the use of an easily derived parameter as a proxy for ozone mixing ratio, which is conserved in the stratosphere for time scales shorter than the photochemical time scale. The source of data for these studies is the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data set.

Miller, Timothy L.↗

A New Real - Time Fault Detection Methodology for Systems Under Test

The purpose of this research is focussed on the identification/demonstration of critical technology innovations that will be applied to various applications viz. Detection of automated machine Health Monitoring (BM, real-time data analysis and control of Systems Under Test (SUT). This new innovation using a High Fidelity Dynamic Model-based Simulation (BFDMS) approach will be used to implement a real-time monitoring, Test and Evaluation (T&E) methodology including the transient behavior of the system under test. The unique element of this process control technique is the use of high fidelity, computer generated dynamic models to replicate the behavior of actual Systems Under Test (SUT). It will provide a dynamic simulation capability that becomes the reference truth model, from which comparisons are made with the actual raw/conditioned data from the test elements.

Johnson, Roger W.↗

Multi-mode quasi-static excitation for systems with nonlinear joints

Finite element models can be used to model and predict the hysteresis and energy dissipation exhibited by nonlinear joints in structures. As a result of the nonlinearity, the frequency and damping of a mode is dependent on excitation amplitude, and when the modes remain uncoupled, quasi-static modal analysis has been shown to efficiently predict this behavior. However, in some cases the modes have been observed to couple such that the frequency and damping of one mode is dependent on the amplitude of other modes. To model the interactions between modes, one must integrate the dynamic equations in time, which is several orders of magnitude more expensive than quasi-static analysis. This work explores an alternative where quasi-static forces are applied in the shapes of two or more modes of vibration simultaneously, and the resulting load–displacement curves are used to deduce the effect of other modes on the effective frequency and damping of the mode in question. This methodology is demonstrated on a simple 2D cantilever beam structure with a single bolted joint which exhibits micro-slip nonlinearity over a range of vibration amplitudes. The predicted frequency and damping are compared with those extracted from a few expensive dynamic simulations of the structure, showing that the quasi-static approach produces reasonable albeit highly conservative bounds on the observed dynamics. This framework is also demonstrated on a 3D structure where dynamic simulations are infeasible.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Concurrent algorithms for transient nonlinear FE analysis

A two-parameter class of time-stepping algorithms for nonlinear structural dynamics is investigated. What sets the present method apart from other concurrent algorithms is the fact that it can be used to some advantage in sequential machines as well. Thus, substantial speed-ups are obtained on a single processor as the number of subdomains is increased. An additional O(p) speed-up is obtained when p processors are utilized. The test case discussed is being repeated for a mesh comprising four times as many elements, in an effort to understand how the large scale asymptotic speed-ups are attained. A three dimensional example involving finite deformations and free body motions is also being pursued. A code optimized for concurrency in the Alliant FX8 computer is being finalized. This will provide the means for testing the performance of the algorithm in a multiprocessor environment.

Ortiz, M.↗

Adaptive methods for nonlinear structural dynamics and crashworthiness analysis

The objective is to describe three research thrusts in crashworthiness analysis: adaptivity; mixed time integration, or subcycling, in which different timesteps are used for different parts of the mesh in explicit methods; and methods for contact-impact which are highly vectorizable. The techniques are being developed to improve the accuracy of calculations, ease-of-use of crashworthiness programs, and the speed of calculations. The latter is still of importance because crashworthiness calculations are often made with models of 20,000 to 50,000 elements using explicit time integration and require on the order of 20 to 100 hours on current supercomputers. The methodologies are briefly reviewed and then some example calculations employing these methods are described. The methods are also of value to other nonlinear transient computations.

Belytschko, Ted↗