SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “computational costs”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 307 records · Page 17

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1991

Analytic gradients for coupled-cluster energies that include noniterative connected triple excitations - Application to cis- and trans-HONO

An efficient formulation of the analytic energy gradient for the single and double excitation coupled-cluster method that includes a perturbational estimate of the effects of connected triple excitations is presented. The formulation has a small computational cost, and the algebraic manipulations may be applied generally to the analytic gradient of Moller-Plesset perturbation theory energies. The new formulation has been implemented in an efficient set of programs that utilize highly vectorized algorithms and has been used to investigate the equilibrium structures, harmonic vibrational frequencies, IR intensities, and energy separation of cis- and trans-HONO.

Lee, Timothy J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Numerical experiments on the accuracy of ENO and modified ENO schemes

Numerical experiments have been performed using different ENO schemes and different time discretizations, in order to assess accuracy-degeneracy phenomena of the type described by Rogerson and Meiburg (1990). A modified ENO scheme recovers the correct order of accuracy for all the test problems with smooth initial conditions and gives results comparable to the original ENO schemes for discontinuous problems. It is concluded that ENO schemes may lose the full high-order accuracy predicted by local truncation-error analysis for scalar linear conservation laws with smooth initial conditions. A modified ENO scheme can overcome this accuracy-degeneracy problem for the test problems without increasing the computational cost.

Shu, Chi-Wang↗

NASA NTRS1991

A description of the correlated k distributed method for modeling nongray gaseous absorption, thermal emission, and multiple scattering in vertically inhomogeneous atmospheres

A radiative transfer method for treating nongray gaseous absorption and thermal emission in vertically inhomogeneous multiple scattering atmospheres is described. Probability density distributions of absorption coefficient strength are derived from line-by-line calculations to construct line-by-line and band model based k distributions. The monotonic ordering of absorption coefficient strengths in these k distributions implicitly preserves the monochromatic structure of the atmosphere at different pressure levels, thus simulating monochromatic spectral integration at a fraction of the line-by-line computing cost. The k distribution approach also permits accurate modeling of overlapping absorption by different atmospheric gases and accurate treatment of nongray absorption in multiple scattering media. It is shown that the correlated k distribution method is capable of achieving numerical accuracy to within 1 percent of cooling rates obtained with line-by-line calculations throughout the troposphere and most of the stratosphere.

Lacis, Andrew A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Nonuniform visual pattern image sequence coding

Visual Pattern Image Sequence Coding (VPISC) is a pyramidal image coding scheme which utilizes human visual system (HVS) properties to achieve low bit rates while maintaining a good perceived image quality, all with extremely low computational cost. This paper describes extensions of VPISC, termed Foveal VPISC (FVPISC) and Adaptive VPISC (AVPISC). Both algorithms produce decreased bit rates by selectively allowing some image regions to be coded at low resolution. In FVPISC, a foveation criterion is used to select a region of interest. In AVPISC, the algorithm adaptively determines which regions require high-resolution coding in order to maintain uniform image quality over the entire image.

Silsbee, Peter L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

High order filtering methods for approximating hyperbolic systems of conservation laws

The essentially nonoscillatory (ENO) schemes, while potentially useful in the computation of discontinuous solutions of hyperbolic conservation-law systems, are computationally costly relative to simple central-difference methods. A filtering technique is presented which employs central differencing of arbitrarily high-order accuracy except where a local test detects the presence of spurious oscillations and calls upon the full ENO apparatus to remove them. A factor-of-three speedup is thus obtained over the full-ENO method for a wide range of problems, with high-order accuracy in regions of smooth flow.

Lafon, F.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Computational aspects of sensitivity calculations in linear transient structural analysis

The calculation of sensitivities of displacements, velocities, accelerations, and stresses in linear, structural, and transient response problems is studied. Several existing sensitivity calculation methods and two new methods are compared for three example problems. Approximation vectors such as vibration mode shapes are used to reduce the dimensionality of the finite model. To be computationally practical in large-order problems, the overall finite difference methods must use the approximation vectors from the original design in the analyses of the perturbed models. This was found to result in poor convergence of stress sensitivities in several cases. Two semianalytical techniques are developed to overcome this poor convergence. Both new methods result in very good convergence of the stress sensitivities; the computational cost is much less than would result if the vibration modes were recalculated and then used in an overall finite difference method.

Greene, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1991

C deg continuity elements by Hybrid Stress method

An intensive study of the assumed variable distribution necessary for the Assumed Displacement Formulation, the Hellinger-Reissner Formulation, and the Hu-Washizu Formulation is made in a unified manner. With emphasis on physical explanation, a systematic method for the Hybrid Stress element construction is outlined. The numerical examples use four and eight node plane stress elements and eight and twenty node solid elements. Computation cost study indicates that the hybrid stress element derived using recently developed Uncoupled Stress Formulation is comparable in CPU time to the Assumed Displacement element. Overall, main emphasis is placed on providing a broader understanding of the Hybrid Stress Formulation.

Kang, David Sung-Soo↗

NASA NTRS1992

Progress in integrated analysis with adaptive unstructured meshing

Design of lightweight structures and thermal protection systems for hypersonic vehicles depend on accurate prediction of aerothermal loads, structural temperatures and their gradients, and structural deformations and stresses. Concentration is on an alternative meshing technique which generates an entirely new adaptive unstructured mesh based on the solution obtained from the earlier mesh. The technique combined with the finite element method has been shown to significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of the fluid, thermal, and structural analyses. Current capability of the adaptive unstructured meshing technique for the integrated fluid-thermal-structural analysis is described first. The technique was extended to transient thermal analysis of structures with time-dependent adaptive meshing to capture the detailed temperature response with a minimum number of unknowns and computational cost. Both linear and higher-order finite elements are implemented to demonstrate the generality of the technique and to investigate their solution accuracy. Currently, the adaptive meshing technique is being developed for plane structures that can be modeled with membrane elements and built-up structures modeled with membrane and bending elements. The capability of the technique to these different disciplinary problems is demonstrated by several examples.

Dechaumphai, Pramote↗

NASA NTRS1990

Numerical Formulation for the Prediction of Solid/Liquid Change of a Binary Alloy

A computational model is presented for the prediction of solid/liquid phase change energy transport including the influence of free convection fluid flow in the liquid phase region. The computational model considers the velocity components of all non-liquid phase change material control volumes to be zero but fully solves the coupled mass-momentum problem within the liquid region. The thermal energy model includes the entire domain and uses an enthalpy like model and a recently developed method for handling the phase change interface nonlinearity. Convergence studies are performed and comparisons made with experimental data for two different problem specifications. The convergence studies indicate that grid independence was achieved and the comparison with experimental data indicates excellent quantitative prediction of the melt fraction evolution. Qualitative data is also provided in the form of velocity vector diagrams and isotherm plots for selected times in the evolution of both problems. The computational costs incurred are quite low by comparison with previous efforts on solving these problems.

Schneider, G. E.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Prediction of high-resolution flowfields for rotorcraft aeroacoustics

A new approach to the vortex wake of a helicopter is described. This approach makes it possible to obtain highly accurate resolution of the flowfield experienced by the tail rotor with modest computational effort relative to alternative models. A full-span free wake model of the main rotor in a scheme is presented which reconstructs high resolution flow solutions from preliminary simulations with coarse resolution. A new reconstruction method uses local velocity correction terms to capture the steep velocity gradients characteristic of the the vortex-dominated incident flow. The approach is considered to be successful in capturing the high resolution flows necessary for analysis of rotor-wake/rotor interactions with substantially reduced computational cost.

Quackenbush, Todd R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

An efficient finite element method for aircraft de-icing problems

In this paper, a finite element formulation based on an assumed states method is proposed for the solution of heat conduction problems with phase change at a fixed temperature. Attention is directed toward reduction of computer cost through the use of an efficient formulation, solver and algorithm. The procedure is applied to the analysis of an electrothermally deiced aircraft surface.

Huang, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Analytical modelling of laminated composites

This paper presents a unique approach to the analysis of thick laminated composites by presenting two simple finite element methods. The first uses the predictor corrector technique to extend the simple Mindlin-type element to achieve greater accuracy, and the second develops a new least squares element which can approximate a C(1) continuous element. The least squares element has the capability to incorporate a simplified higher-order basis into a piecewise continuous displacement field creating an accurate, yet computationally simple, element. These two methods have the potential to significantly upgrade analysis methods with little additional computational cost.

Kouri, Jeffrey V.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Multi-level optimization of a beam-like space truss utilizing a continuum model

A continuous beam model is developed for approximate analysis of a large, slender, beam-like truss. The model is incorporated in a multi-level optimization scheme for the weight minimization of such trusses. This scheme is tested against traditional optimization procedures for savings in computational cost. Results from both optimization methods are presented for comparison.

Yates, K.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Modifications to Encke's method for long arc orbit determination solutions

An expanded model is developed that permits the extrapolation of Encke's method for the determination of orbits with long arcs, and the model is used to determine a solution for the Lageos trajectory. Encke's method is reviewed emphasizing the nature of the growth of the Encke ratio and the reliability of extrapolated reference trajectories. The reference-orbit formulation is improved by including parameters that accommodate drag and large-amplitude perodic variations in the orbital elements. The proposed Long Arc Model is expected to provide a maximum Encke ratio that is an order of magnitude more reliable than that given by the secularly precessing ellipse. The computational cost of using the Long Arc Model is shown to compare favorably with that of the true force model, and the long arc solutions are useful for current orbit-determination needs.

Lundberg, J. B.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Closed-form solution of decomposable stochastic models

Equations to compute failure probabilities of the total (combined) model without a complete solution of the combined model are presented. A closed-form analytical approach to presentation of probabilities is used on the bases of the Symbolic Hierarchical Automated Reliability and Performance Evaluator tool. The techniques under consideration make it possible to compute the probability function for a much wider class of systems at a reduced computational cost.

Sjogren, Jon A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Several recursive techniques for observer/Kalman filter system identification from data

This paper derives algorithms for identifying autoregressive models, with external input, of multi-input multi-output systems from data using a fast transversal filter or a least-squares lattice filter. The autoregressive models including external inputs are used to identify state-space models and the corresponding observer/Kalman filter gains of the system. The derivation is an extension of scalar autoregressive model approaches, modified to cope with multivariables, external inputs and an extra direct-influence term. Comparisons between the fast transversal filter, the least-squares lattice filter and the classical least-squares method are made in terms of complexity, computational cost and practical applications issues. A numerical example is included to illustrate the approach.

Chen, Chung-Wen↗

NASA NTRS1989

Comparison of full 3-D, thin-film 3-D, and thin-film plate analyses of a postbuckled embedded delamination

Strain-energy release rates are often used to predict when delamination growth will occur in laminates under compression. Because of the inherently high computational cost of performing such analyses, less rigorous analyses such as thin-film plate analysis were used. The assumptions imposed by plate theory restrict the analysis to the calculation of total strain energy, G(sub t). The objective is to determine the accuracy of thin-film plate analysis by comparing the distribution of G(sub t) calculated using fully three dimensional (3D), thin-film 3D, and thin-film plate analyses. Thin-film 3D analysis is the same as thin-film plate analysis, except 3D analysis is used to model the sublaminate. The 3D stress analyses were performed using the finite element program NONLIN3D. The plate analysis results were obtained from published data, which used STAGS. Strain-energy release rates were calculated using variations of the virtual crack closure technique. The results demonstrate that thin-film plate analysis can predict the distribution of G(sub t) quite well, at least for the configurations considered. Also, these results verify the accuracy of the strain-energy release rate procedure for plate analysis.

Whitcomb, John D.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The effects of Venusian mantle convection with multiple phase transitions

Recently there was a flurry of activities in studying the effects of phase transitions in the Earth's mantle. From petrological and geophysical considerations, phase-transitions would also play an important role in venusian dynamics. The basic differences between the two planets are the surface boundary conditions, both thermally and mechanically. In this vein we have studied time-dependent mantle convection with multiple phase transitions and depth-dependent thermal expansivity (alpha is approximately rho(exp -6)), based on high-pressure and temperature measurements. Both the olivine-spinel and spinel-perovskite transitions were simulated by introducing an effective thermal expansivity, as described. Used together with the extended Boussinesq Approximation this method serves as a powerful tool to examine the effects of phase transitions on convection at relatively low computational costs.

Steinbach, V.↗