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At least 289 records · Page 16

Structure of a viscoplastic theory

The general structure of a viscoplastic theory is developed from physical and thermodynamical considerations. The flow equation is of classical form. The dynamic recovery approach is shown to be superior to the hardening function approach for incorporating nonlinear strain hardening into the material response through the evolutionary equation for back stress. A novel approach for introducing isotropic strain hardening into the theory is presented, which results in a useful simplification. In particular, the limiting stress for the kinematic saturation of state (not the drag stress) is the chosen scalar-valued state variable. The resulting simplification is that there is no coupling between dynamic and thermal recovery terms in each evolutionary equation. The derived theory of viscoplasticity has the structure of a two-surface plasticity theory when the response is plasticlike, and the structure of a Bailey-Orowan creep theory when the response is creeplike.

Freed, Alan D.↗

Nonlinear/linear unified thermal stress formulations - Transfinite element approach

A new unified computational approach for applicability to nonlinear/linear thermal-structural problems is presented. Basic concepts of the approach including applicability to nonlinear and linear thermal structural mechanics are first described via general formulations. Therein, the approach is demonstrated for thermal stress and thermal-structural dynamic applications. The proposed transfinite element approach focuses on providing a viable hybrid computational methodology by combining the modeling versatility of contemporary finite element schemes in conjunction with transform techniques and the classical Bubnov-Galerkin schemes. Comparative samples of numerical test cases highlight the capabilities of the proposed concepts.

Tamma, Kumar K.↗

Thermoviscoplastic model with application to copper

A viscoplastic model is developed which is applicable to anisothermal, cyclic, and multiaxial loading conditions. Three internal state variables are used in the model; one to account for kinematic effects, and the other two to account for isotropic effects. One of the isotropic variables is a measure of yield strength, while the other is a measure of limit strength. Each internal state variable evolves through a process of competition between strain hardening and recovery. There is no explicit coupling between dynamic and thermal recovery in any evolutionary equation, which is a useful simplification in the development of the model. The thermodynamic condition of intrinsic dissipation constrains the thermal recovery function of the model. Application of the model is made to copper, and cyclic experiments under isothermal, thermomechanical, and nonproportional loading conditions are considered. Correlations and predictions of the model are representative of observed material behavior.

Freed, Alan D.↗

Heat Shield And Axial Retainer For Turbopump Blade

Modified configuration for axial retention of blades of cryogenic turbopump expected to reduce dynamic and thermal stresses, thereby increasing operating life. Expected to overcome some of structural limitations in which various components of "fir-tree" blade/disk attachments shaped in such way as to concentrate stresses. Advantages include: No overhung loading on attachment faces of disk or blades; No additional stress concentrators added to attachment faces of disk or blades; and No large axial thermal gradients on edges of disk and blades.

Moore, Jerry H.↗

Structures technologies for the Precision Segmented Reflector (PSR)

The PSR program is a first step in the development and validation of increasingly more precise and larger size lightweight segmented reflector technology that might ultimately be used in space on projects such as the Large Deployable Reflector (LDR). The LDR is described, and objectives of the PSR are discussed. Requirements for the PSR, including structure dimensions and geometric constraints, mass characteristics, erectable and deployable concepts, truss surface precision, and thermal and dynamic characteristics are discussed along with gravity deflections, secondary support characteristics, and removable members. Analytical development and system- and component-level tests are outlined.

Satter, C. M.↗

Conceptual design of the subscale orbital fluid transfer experiment (SOFTE)

The Subscale Orbital Fluid Transfer Experiment is a planned space experiment with the objective of obtaining video and numerical data on fluid dynamics and thermal physics pertinent to on-orbit liquid acquisition and tank filling operations, particularly with cryogens. These data have significant application to space-based transportation systems, Space Station Freedom, and space defense systems. This paper presents the rationale for the experiment and a description of its design. The experiment will mount in two Get Away Special canisters that are connected to each other by an electrical umbilical. It involves transferring Freon 113 between two transparent plexiglass tanks. Axial and tangential no-vent fills will be done over a range of flow rates. The apparatus includes a screened-channel liquid acquisition device with plexiglass channels for examining vapor breakthrough and channel refill processes. Video cameras will monitor the transfer operations.

Jones, O. S.↗

Stratiform clouds and their interaction with atmospheric motion

During 1989 and 1990, the researchers saw the publication of two papers and the submission of a third for review on work supported primarily by the previous contract, NAS8-36150; the delivery of an invited talk at the SIAM Conference on Dynamical Systems in Orlando, Florida; and the start of two new projects on the radiative effects of stratocumulus on the large-scale flow. The published papers discuss aspects of stratocumulus circulations (Laufersweiler and Shirer, 1989) and the Hadley to Rossby regime transition in rotating spherical systems (Higgins and Shirer, 1990). The submitted paper (Haack and Shirer, 1990) discusses a new nonlinear model of roll circulations that are forced both dynamically and thermally. The invited paper by H. N. Shirer and R. Wells presented an objective means for determining appropriate truncation levels for low-order models of flows involving two incommensurate periods; this work has application to the Hadley to Rossby transition problem in quasi-geostrophic flows (Moroz and Holmes, 1984). The new projects involve the development of a multi-layered quasi-geostrophic channel model for study of the modulation of the large-scale flow by stratocumulus clouds that typically develop off the coasts of continents. In this model the diabatic forcing in the lowest layer will change in response to the (parameterized) development of extensive fields of stratocumulus clouds. To guide creation of this parameterization scheme, researchers are producing climatologies of stratocumulus frequency and the authors correlate these frequencies with the phasing and amplitude of the large-scale flow pattern. Researchers discuss the above topics in greater detail.

Clark, John H. E.↗

Planetary atmospheres: Microwave spectroscopic and space physics

Ground-based spectroscopic observations of isotopes of CO in the atmosphere of Mars, Venus, and Titan were collected over the 1982-1990 period. These observations were analyzed to obtain information on the photochemistry, dynamics, and thermal profiles of these planetary atmospheres. In the cases of the mesosphere (80-100 km altitude) of Venus and the lower atmosphere (0-70 km altitude) of Mars, the primary conclusion of this research is that significant interannual variation in the global, thermal, and compositional structures of these atmospheres occur over 10 year periods. The Titan studies have focussed on pinning down the true atmosphere CO abundance. A more detailed summary of the results for each of these planetary atmospheres is provided.

Clancy, R. Todd↗

High resolution X-ray spectroscopy of active galactic nuclei

After a brief review of the principal problems of AGN research, selected potential high-resolution observations are discussed with a view toward assessing their scientific value and the degree of resolution they will require. Two classes of observations pertaining directly to AGNs are discussed. Fe K-alpha spectroscopy relevant to the dynamical and thermal character of the emission line zones; and measurement of resonance line absorption by highly-ionized species in BL Lac objects, which should provide information about entrainment of interstellar material by relativistic jets. A third class of potentially important observations uses AGNs as background light sources in order to directly measure the distance to clusters of galaxies.

Krolik, Julian H.↗

Development of BEM for ceramic composites

It is evident that for proper micromechanical analysis of ceramic composites, one needs to use a numerical method that is capable of idealizing the individual fibers or individual bundles of fibers embedded within a three-dimensional ceramic matrix. The analysis must be able to account for high stress or temperature gradients from diffusion of stress or temperature from the fiber to the ceramic matrix and allow for interaction between the fibers through the ceramic matrix. The analysis must be sophisticated enough to deal with the failure of fibers described by a series of increasingly sophisticated constitutive models. Finally, the analysis must deal with micromechanical modeling of the composite under nonlinear thermal and dynamic loading. This report details progress made towards the development of a boundary element code designed for the micromechanical studies of an advanced ceramic composite. Additional effort has been made in generalizing the implementation to allow the program to be applicable to real problems in the aerospace industry.

Henry, D. P.↗

Outflows driven by cosmic-ray pressure in broad absorption line QSOs

It is shown how the escape of ultrarelativistic neutrons from the central engine of an AGN can lead to the production of a strong fast wind with most of the acceleration occurring outside the broad emission line region. This feature is required in order to explain observations of broad absorption line (BAL) QSOs, in which the blue wings of the broad emission lines are often absorbed. The dynamical and thermal structure of the wind is determined, and the formation of BALs in such an outflow is modeled, deriving line profiles and constraining the rate at which the energy or relativistic protons has be be converted to thermal energy in order to provide pressure confinement for the BAL clouds. The problem of acceleration and survival of the clouds is discussed.

Begelman, Mitchell↗

Numerical simulation and analysis of a prefrontal squall line. I - Observations and basic simulation results. II - Propagation of the squall line as an internal gravity wave

Results of an observational and numerical study of the squall line that occurred on June 17-18, 1978, are presented. This squall line was initially triggered by the strong surface convergence along a cold front and stretched from Illinois to the Texas Panhandle. The squall line was aligned with the surface front during its initial development, but then propagated faster than the front, resulting in a separation of approximately 200 km by 0300 UTC and 300-400 km by 0600 UTC. The Colorado State University Regional Atmospheric Modeling System is used to model the squall-line development and propagation. Results are described from several experiments that tested the sensitivity to the use of the Kuo-type cumulus parameterization scheme and grid-scale microphysical processes. The movement of the squall line in the model is shown to be due to the propagation of a deep tropospheric internal gravity wave in a CISK-like process. The thermal and dynamic perturbations associated with the hypothesized wave are shown to be consistent with internal gravity wave theory.

Cram, Jennifer M.↗

The development and testing of the Lens Antenna Deployment Demonstration (LADD) test article

The USAF Rome Laboratory and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, through contract to Grumman Corporation, have developed a space-qualifiable test article for the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization to demonstrate the critical structural and mechanical elements of single-axis roll-out membrane deployment for Space Based Radar (SBR) applications. The Lens Antenna Deployment Demonstration (LADD) test article, originally designed as a shuttle-attached flight experiment, is a large precision space structure which is representative of operational designs for space-fed lens antennas. Although the flight experiment was cancelled due to funding constraints and major revisions in the Strategic Defense System (SDS) architecture, development of this test article was completed in June 1989. To take full advantage of the existence of this unique structure, a series of ground tests are proposed which include static, dynamic, and thermal measurements in a simulated space environment. An equally important objective of these tests is the verification of the analytical tools used to design and develop large precision space structures.

Pugh, Mark L.↗

Dust transport into Martian polar latitudes

The presence of suspended dust in the Martian atmosphere, and its return to the planet's surface, is implicated in the formation of the polar layered terrain and the dichotomy in perennial CO2 polar cap retention in the two hemispheres. A three dimensional model was used to study Martian global dust storms. The model accounts for the interactive feedbacks between the atmospheric thermal and dynamical states and an evolving radiatively active suspended dust load. Results from dust storm experiments, as well as from simulations in which there is interest in identifying the conditions under which surface dust lifting occurs at various locations and times, indicate that dust transport due to atmospheric eddy motions is likely to be important in the arrival of suspended dust at polar latitudes. The layered terrain in both polar regions of Mars is interpreted as the reality of cyclical episodes of volatile (CO2, H2O) and dust deposition.

Murphy, J. R.↗

Planetary atmospheres: Microwave spectroscopic studies of planetary atmospheres

Ground-based spectroscopic observations of isotopes of CO in the atmospheres of Mars, Venus, and Titan have been collected over the 1982-1990 period. These observations have been analyzed to obtain information on the photochemistry, dynamics, and thermal profiles of these planetary atmospheres. In the cases of the mesosphere (80-100 km altitude) of Venus and the lower atmosphere (0-70 km altitude) of Mars, the primary conclusion of this research is that significant interannual variations in the global thermal and compositional structures of these atmospheres occur over 10 year periods. The Titan studies have focussed on pinning down the true atmospheric CO abundance. A more detailed summary of the results for each of these planetary atmospheres is provided.

Clancy, R. Todd↗

An integrated modeling and design tool for advanced optical spacecraft

Consideration is given to the design and status of the Integrated Modeling of Optical Systems (IMOS) tool and to critical design issues. A multidisciplinary spacecraft design and analysis tool with support for structural dynamics, controls, thermal analysis, and optics, IMOS provides rapid and accurate end-to-end performance analysis, simulations, and optimization of advanced space-based optical systems. The requirements for IMOS-supported numerical arrays, user defined data structures, and a hierarchical data base are outlined, and initial experience with the tool is summarized. A simulation of a flexible telescope illustrates the integrated nature of the tools.

Briggs, Hugh C.↗

A Modeling Investigation of Thermal and Strain Induced Recovery and Nonlinear Hardening in Potential Based Viscoplasticity

Specific forms for both the Gibb's and the complementary dissipation potentials were chosen such that a complete potential based multiaxial, isothermal, viscoplastic model was obtained. This model in general possesses three internal state variables (two scalars associated with dislocation density and one tensor associated with dislocation motion) both thermal and dynamic recovery mechanisms, and nonlinear kinematic hardening. This general model, although possessing associated flow and evolutionary laws, is shown to emulate three distinct classes of theories found in the literature, by modification of the driving threshold function F. A parametric study was performed on a specialized nondimensional multiaxial form containing only a single tensorial internal state variable (i.e., internal stress). The study was conducted with the idea of examining the impact of including a strain-induced recovery mechanism and the compliance operator, derived from the Gibb's potential, on the uniaxial and multiaxial response. One important finding was that inclusion of strain recovery provided the needed flexibility in modeling stress-strain and creep response of metals at low homologous temperatures, without adversely affecting the high temperature response. Furthermore, for nonproportional loading paths, the inclusion of the compliance operator had a significant influence on the multiaxial response, but had no influence on either uniaxial or proportional load histories.

Arnold, S. M.↗

Testing and management of flight instruments and their data

Hardware activities were concentrated on the Low Energy Ion Facility (LEIF), which is used for testing and calibration of most of the flight instruments for near-Earth observations. The ion beam generated by the ion source in the LEIF has been required for the proper testing and calibration of the primary components of the Thermal Ion Dynamics Experiment (TIDE) to be flown on the POLAR spacecraft of the Global Geospace Science (GGS) flight program. Additional work has been done on equipment and techniques for diagnosing and testing microchannel plates. These plates are used in the imager as well as the flight instruments.

Comfort, Richard H.↗