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At least 325 records · Page 18

Fracture behavior of low-density fibrous ceramics

A study has been carried out to characterize the fracture behavior of a particular class of silica tiles used in the thermal protection system of the Space Shuttle with emphasis on the strength distribution and time dependence of strength. The approach adopted is based on fracture mechanics concepts developed in recent years for the design of brittle materials. The study confirms that proof-testing and tile densification should lead to improved reliability of the thermal protection system. The research also suggests that the subcritical crack growth behavior of the fibrous tiles is similar to that observed in bulk glass of similar composition and that failure occurs by the tensile fracture and fragmentation of individual fibers.

Green, D. J.↗

Photoionization of Benzene and Small Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ultraviolet-Processed Astrophysical Ices: A Computational Study

We employed density functional theory (DFT) calculations to model the photoionization behavior of benzene and small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons when they are embedded in a matrix of water ice in order to investigate issues raised by recent experimental work by Gudipati and Allamandola. The ionization energies of benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene were found to be lowered by 1.5-2.1 eV in water ice. Low-lying vertical electronic excitation energies were computed with time-dependent DFT for both neutral and ionized species and are found in both cases to be remarkably unaffected by the ice matrix. Chemical behavior in ultraviolet-photoprocessed ices is also discussed, with a focus on electron recombination and pathways leading to phenol and analogous products.

Woon, D. E.↗

Computer program for predicting creep behavior of bodies of revolution

Computer program, CRAB, uses finite-element method to calculate creep behavior and predict steady-state stresses in an arbitrary body of revolution subjected to a time-dependent axisymmetric load. Creep strains follow a time hardening law and a Prandtl-Reuss stress-strain relationship.

Adams, R.↗

The viscoelastic behavior of a composite in a thermal environment

A proposed method for the accelerated predictions of modulus and life times for time dependent polymer matrix composite laminates is presented. The method, based on the time temperature superposition principle and lamination theory, is described in detail. Unidirectional reciprocal of compliance master curves and the shift functions needed are presented and discussed. Master curves for arbitrarily oriented unidirectional laminates are predicted and compared with experimantal results obtained from master curves generated from 15 minute tests and with 25 hour tests. Good agreement is shown. Predicted 30 deg and 60 deg unidirectional strength master curves are presented and compared to results of creep rupture tests. Reasonable agreement is demonstrated. In addition, creep rupture results for a (90 deg + or - 60 deg/90 deg) sub 2s laminate are presented.

Morris, D. H.↗

Accretion disk limit cycle mechanism in twin-degenerate interacting binaries

Accretion disk instability is studied as a possible mechanism causing large variations in the optical light curves of twin-degenerate interacting binary stars. The nonthermal equilibrium limit cycle behavior of the accretion disk expected for such a binary system is explored using a generalized time-dependent, nonthermal equilibrium accretion disk model developed for the study of dwarf novae. A series of bursts is computed for a wide range of values of the secondary mass transfer rate, and the results are presented and discussed.

Cannizzo, J. K.↗

A one-dimensional multispecies magnetohydrodynamic model of the dayside ionosphere of Venus

Using a modification of the one-dimensional multispecies 'one-major-ion' MHD model of Shinagawa et al. (1987), the behaviors of plasma and magnetic field in the dayside ionosphere of Venus was studied for both time-dependent and steady-state conditions. The present model is more complete than the one-major-ion model of Shinagawa et al., although a comparison of the results indicated that the one-major-ion treatment was a fairly good approximation. Two new cases are presented, including steady-state conditions for the magnetized ionosphere, and the inclusion of ion loss due to horizontal transport in the magnetized region. The resulting calculated profiles of the magnetic field and the electron density agree much better with the observations at high altitudes than those without the ion loss terms, indicating the importance of the horizontal transport processes in the ionosphere of Venus at high altitudes.

Shinagawa, H.↗

Accretion disk thermal instability in galactic nuclei

The nonlinear evolution and spatial propagation of the thermal instability in accretion disks in galactic nuclei are investigated. Integrations of the vertical structure of the disks are described for different alpha prescriptions, and the thermal stability is examined. Global time-dependent calculations of the unstable disks are performed which show that there are two distinct types of behavior according to the assumed prescription for the viscosity parameter: the 'purr' type and the 'roar' type. The roar type is analyzed in some detail.

Mineshige, S.↗

A decision-theoretic approach to the display of information for time-critical decisions: The Vista project

We describe a collaborative research and development effort between the Palo Alto Laboratory of the Rockwell Science Center, Rockwell Space Operations Company, and the Propulsion Systems Section of NASA JSC to design computational tools that can manage the complexity of information displayed to human operators in high-stakes, time-critical decision contexts. We shall review an application from NASA Mission Control and describe how we integrated a probabilistic diagnostic model and a time-dependent utility model, with techniques for managing the complexity of computer displays. Then, we shall describe the behavior of VPROP, a system constructed to demonstrate promising display-management techniques. Finally, we shall describe our current research directions on the Vista 2 follow-on project.

Horvitz, Eric↗

Computational Study of Chaotic and Ordered Solutions of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky Equation

We report the results of extensive numerical experiments on the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation in the strongly chaotic regime as the viscosity parameter is decreased and increasingly more linearly unstable modes enter the dynamics. General initial conditions are used and evolving states do not assume odd-parity. A large number of numerical experiments are employed in order to obtain quantitative characteristics of the dynamics. We report on different routes to chaos and provide numerical evidence and construction of strange attractors with self-similar characteristics. As the 'viscosity' parameter decreases the dynamics becomes increasingly more complicated and chaotic. In particular it is found that regular behavior in the form of steady state or steady state traveling waves is supported amidst the time-dependent and irregular motions. We show that multimodal steady states emerge and are supported on decreasing windows in parameter space. In addition we invoke a self-similarity property of the equation, to show that these profiles are obtainable from global fixed point attractors of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation at much larger values of the viscosity.

Smyrlis, Yiorgos S.↗

Rate and time dependent failure of structural adhesives

Studies on two adhesives (Metlbond 1113 and 1113-2) identified as having important applications in the bonding of composite materials are presented. A testing program to ascertain stress-strain, strain-rate, time, yield, and/or failure behavior of these materials in bulk form using uniaxial tensile constant strain-rate, creep, and relaxation tests is described. The stress-strain behavior of each material is shown to be significantly rate dependent. A rate dependent stress whitening (crazing) phenomenon occurs prior to either yield or fracture. A region of linear elasticity, a region of viscoelasticity, and the onset of yielding are identified in the stress-strain behavior. The linear elastic limit and the yield point are shown to be rate dependent and agree well with an empirical equation proposed by Ludwik. A creep to failure phenomenon is shown to exist and is correlated with a delayed yield equation proposed by Crochet. Analytical predictions based on a modified Bingham model are shown to agree well with experimental stress-strain strain-rate data. Analytical predictions based on a modified Ramberg-Osgood equation are also shown for comparison purposes.

Brinson, H. F.↗

Thermoelectric properties of 80 a/o Si-20 a/o Ge alloy

This paper discusses the time and temperature dependence of the thermoelectric properties of n- and p-type 80 at. % Si-20 at. % Ge alloy. It is shown that the time-temperature behavior of the properties of both polarity types of this alloy can be described by means of a diffusion-limited dopant precipitation model due to Lifshitz and Slyozov (1961). An experimental program for the determination of the long-term behavior of the properties of the alloy is described in terms of the Lifshitz-Slyozov model, and the thermoelectric properties of the alloy are given for temperatures in the range from room temperature to 1000 C as a function of time up to and including twelve years. The data given for the p-type alloy represent the first time-dependent thermoelectric property data ever published for the p-type silicon-germanium alloys.

Raag, V.↗

Moving target, distributed, real-time simulation using Ada

Research on a precompiler solution is described for the moving target compiler problem encountered when trying to run parallel simulation algorithms on several microcomputers. The precompiler is under development at NASA-Lewis for simulating jet engines. Since the behavior of any component of a jet engine, e.g., the fan inlet, rear duct, forward sensor, etc., depends on the previous behaviors and not the current behaviors of other components, the behaviors can be modeled on different processors provided the outputs of the processors reach other processors in appropriate time intervals. The simulator works in compute and transfer modes. The Ada procedure sets for the behaviors of different components are divided up and routed by the precompiler, which essentially receives a multitasking program. The subroutines are synchronized after each computation cycle.

Collins, W. R.↗

Quasi-perpendicular/quasi-parallel divisions of earth's bow shock

Computer-drawn diagrams of the boundaries between quasi-perpendicular and quasi-parallel areas of earth's bow shock are displayed for a few selected cone angles of static interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The effect on the boundary of variable IMF in the foreshock is also discussed and shown for one nominal case. The boundaries demand caution in applying them to the realistic, dynamic conditions of the solar wind and in interpreting the effects of small cone angles on the distributions of structures at the shock. However, the calculated, first-order boundaries are helpful in defining areas of the shock where contributions from active structures inherent in quasi-parallel geometry may be distinguishable from those derived secondarily from upstream reflected ion dynamics. The boundaries are also compatible with known behavior of daytime ULF geomagnetic waves and pulsations according to models postulating that cone angle-controlled, time-dependent ULF activity around the subsolar point of the bow shock provides the source of geomagnetic excitation.

Greenstadt, E. W.↗

One-dimensional transient finite difference model of an operational salinity gradient solar pond

This paper describes the modeling approach used to simulate the transient behavior of a salinity gradient solar pond. A system of finite difference equations are used to generate the time dependent temperature and salinity profiles within the pond. The stability of the pond, as determined by the capacity of the resulting salinity profile to suppress thermal convection within the primary gradient region of the pond, is continually monitored and when necessary adjustments are made to the thickness of the gradient zone. Results of the model are then compared to measurements taken during two representative seasonal periods at the University of Texas at El Paso's (UTEP's) research solar pond.

Hicks, Michael C.↗

Heat release effects on the instability of parallel shear layers

The influence of time-dependent heat addition on the linear instablity of shear layers is of considerable interest in understanding the dynamic behavior of reacting flows and combustion-turbulence interactions. The approach is based upon the Bernoulli enthalpy aeroacoustics theory, which utilizes the specific enthalpy and specific entropy as the primary thermodynamic variables. In addition, velocity oscillations are split into Helmoholtz decomposition theorem.

Hegde, U.↗

Time-dependent polymer rheology under constant stress and under constant shear conditions.

A kinetic rate theory previously presented for describing non-Newtonian phenomena has been further modified to predict the flow behavior of viscoelastic materials under constant stress conditions. The thixotropic shear stress or shear rate is predicted by the kinetic theory, and the experimental stress or shear rate is obtained by modifying the thixotropic value by a stress or shear rate retardation term. The retardation term stems from a Maxwellian approach for stress retardation. In order to test the validity of this approach, transient and steady-state data were obtained for two solutions of polymethylmethacrylate in diethylphthalate. Both constant stress measurements and constant shear rate data were taken over a broad range.

Lee, K. H.↗

Numerical System Solver Developed for the National Cycle Program

As part of the National Cycle Program (NCP), a powerful new numerical solver has been developed to support the simulation of aeropropulsion systems. This software uses a hierarchical object-oriented design. It can provide steady-state and time-dependent solutions to nonlinear and even discontinuous problems typically encountered when aircraft and spacecraft propulsion systems are simulated. It also can handle constrained solutions, in which one or more factors may limit the behavior of the engine system. Timedependent simulation capabilities include adaptive time-stepping and synchronization with digital control elements. The NCP solver is playing an important role in making the NCP a flexible, powerful, and reliable simulation package.

Binder, Michael P.↗

Porosity and Variations in Microgravity Aerogel Nano-Structures: New Laser Speckle Characterization Methods - 2

The transition from sol to gel is a process that is critical to the properties of engineered nanomaterials, but one with few available techniques for observing the dynamic processes occurring during the evolution of the gel network. Specifically, the observation of various cluster aggregation models, such as diffusion-limited and reaction-limited cluster growth can be quite difficult. This can be rather important as the actual aggregation model can dramatically influence the mechanical properties of gels, and is significantly affected by the presence of convective flows, or their absence in microgravity. We have developed two new non-intrusive optical methods for observing the aggregation processes within gels in real time. These make use of the dynamic behavior of laser speckle patterns produced when an intense laser source is passed through a gelling sol. The first method is a simplified time-correlation measurement, where the speckle pattern is observed using a CCD camera and information on the movement of the scattering objects is readily apparent. This approach is extremely sensitive to minute variations in the flow field as the observed speckle pattern is a diffraction-based image, and is therefore sensitive to motions within the sol on the order of the wavelength of the probing light. Additionally, this method has proven useful in determining a precise time for the gel-point, an event often difficult to measure. Monitoring the evolution of contrast within the speckle field is another method that has proven useful for studying aeration. In this case, speckle contrast is dependent upon the size (correlation length) and number of scattering centers, increasing with increasing size, and decreasing with increasing numbers. The dynamic behavior of cluster growth in gels causes both of these to change simultaneously with time, the exact rate of which is determined by the specific aggregation model involved. Actual growth processes can now be observed, and the effects of varying gravity fields on the growth processes qualitatively described. Results on preliminary ground-based measurements have been obtained.

Hunt, A. J.↗