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At least 37 records · Page 2

On the impact of initially stressed composite laminates

The impact response behavior of initially stressed composite laminates is investigated using the finite element method. An experimentally established contact law is incorporated into the finite element program. The Newmark time integration algorithm is used for solving the time dependent equations of the plate and the impactor. Numerical results, including the contact force history, deflection, and strain in the plate, are presented. Effects of impact velocity, initial stress, and the mass and size of the impactor are discussed.

Sun, C. T.↗

Gear Tooth Root Stresses of a Very Heavily Loaded Gear Pair-Case Study: Orbiter Body Flap Actuator Pinion and Ring Gear

The space shuttle orbiter's body flap actuator gearing was assessed as a case study of the stresses for very heavily loaded external-internal gear pairs (meshing pinion and ring gear). For many applications, using the high point of single tooth contact (HPSTC) to locate the position of the tooth force is adequate for assessing the maximum tooth root stress condition. But for aerospace gearing such an approach may be inadequate for assessing the stress condition while also simultaneously minimizing mass. In this work specialized contact analyses and finite element methods were used to study gear tooth stresses of body flap actuator gears. The analytical solutions considered the elastic deformations as an inherent part of the solutions. The ratio for the maximum tooth stresses using the HPSTC approach solutions relative to the contact analysis and finite element solutions were 1.40 for the ring gear and 1.28 for the pinion gear.

finite element method↗

Strength evaluation of socket joints

This report documents the development of a set of equations that can be used to provide a relatively simple solution for identifying the strength of socket joints and for most cases avoid the need of more lengthy analyses. The analytical approach was verified by comparison of the contact load distributions to results obtained from a finite element analysis. The contacting surfaces for the specific joint in this analysis are in the shape of frustrums of a cone and are representative of the tapered surfaces in the socket-type joints used to join segments of model support systems for wind tunnels. The results are in the form of equations that can be used to determine the contact loads and stresses in the joint from the given geometry and externally applied loads. Equations were determined to define the bending moments and stresses along the length of the joints based on strength and materials principles. The results have also been programmed for a personal computer and a copy of the program is included.

Rash, Larry C.↗

Wave propagation in a graphite/epoxy laminate

Harmonic wave and wave front propagations in a graphite/epoxy laminate are investigated using a plate theory that includes transverse shear deformation. Transient waves produced by impact of a steel ball are studied experimentally and by using finite elements. The statically measured law of contact between the steel ball and the laminate is used in the finite element program to compute the dynamic contact force. It is found that use of this contact law in conjunction with the finite element modeling of the laminate yields excellent agreement with the experimental results.

Sun, C. T.↗

Design and Stress Analysis of Low-Noise Adjusted Bearing Contact Spiral Bevel Gears

An integrated computerized approach for design and stress analysis of low-noise spiral bevel gear drives with adjusted bearing contact is proposed. The procedure of computations is an iterative process that requires four separate procedures and provide: (a) a parabolic function of transmission errors that is able to reduce the effect of errors of alignment on noise and vibration, and (b) reduction of the shift of bearing contact caused by misalignment. Application of finite element analysis enables us to determine the contact and bending stresses and investigate the formation of the bearing contact. The design of finite element models and boundary conditions is automated and does not require intermediate CAD computer programs for application of general purpose computer program for finite element analysis.

Fuentes, A.↗

Mixed formulation for frictionless contact problems

Simple mixed finite element models and a computational precedure are presented for the solution of frictionless contact problems. The analytical formulation is based on a form of Reissner's large rotation theory of the structure with the effects of transverse shear deformation included. The contact conditions are incorporated into the formulation by using a perturbed Lagrangian approach with the fundamental unknowns consisting of the internal forces (stress resultants), the generalized displacements, and the Lagrange multipliers associated with the contact conditions. The element characteristic array are obtained by using a modified form of the two-field Hellinger-Reissner mixed variational principle. The internal forces and the Lagrange multipliers are allowed to be discontinuous at interelement boundaries. The Newton-Raphson iterative scheme is used for the solution of the nonlinear algebraic equations, and the determination of the contact area and the contact pressures.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗

Parallel Methods on Large-Scale Structural Analysis and Physics Applications; Symposium, Hampton, VA, Feb. 5, 6, 1991, Selected Papers

Recent advances in parallel methods and algorithms integrated into large-scale codes are presented. Consideration is given to problem decomposition (substructuring), efficient matrix solution algorithms for shared memory architectures, dynamic and transient analysis algorithms for shared memory architectures, and algorithms for distributed and massively parallel architectures. Particular attention is given to partitioning of unstructured problems for parallel processing, parallel-vector computation for linear-structural analysis and nonlinear unconstraint optimization problems, a parallel-vector equation solver for unsymmetric matrices on supercomputers, parallel nonlinear finite element dynamic response, multigrid algorithms for solving structural mechanics problems on supercomputers, structural analysis on massively parallel computers, explicit finite element methods with contact-impact on SIMD computers, and the impact of mapping and sparsity on parallelized finite element method modules.

Storaasli, Olaf O.↗

Finite Element Model Development For Aircraft Fuselage Structures

The ability to extend the valid frequency range for finite element based structural dynamic predictions using detailed models of the structural components and attachment interfaces is examined for several stiffened aircraft fuselage structures. This extended dynamic prediction capability is needed for the integration of mid-frequency noise control technology. Beam, plate and solid element models of the stiffener components are evaluated. Attachment models between the stiffener and panel skin range from a line along the rivets of the physical structure to a constraint over the entire contact surface. The finite element models are validated using experimental modal analysis results.

Buehrle, Ralph D.↗

Finite Element Model Development and Validation for Aircraft Fuselage Structures

The ability to extend the valid frequency range for finite element based structural dynamic predictions using detailed models of the structural components and attachment interfaces is examined for several stiffened aircraft fuselage structures. This extended dynamic prediction capability is needed for the integration of mid-frequency noise control technology. Beam, plate and solid element models of the stiffener components are evaluated. Attachment models between the stiffener and panel skin range from a line along the rivets of the physical structure to a constraint over the entire contact surface. The finite element models are validated using experimental modal analysis results. The increased frequency range results in a corresponding increase in the number of modes, modal density and spatial resolution requirements. In this study, conventional modal tests using accelerometers are complemented with Scanning Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Electro-Optic Holography measurements to further resolve the spatial response characteristics. Whenever possible, component and subassembly modal tests are used to validate the finite element models at lower levels of assembly. Normal mode predictions for different finite element representations of components and assemblies are compared with experimental results to assess the most accurate techniques for modeling aircraft fuselage type structures.

Buehrle, Ralph D.↗

New Geometry of Worm Face Gear Drives with Conical and Cylindrical Worms: Generation, Simulation of Meshing, and Stress Analysis

New geometry of face worm gear drives with conical and cylindrical worms is proposed. The generation of the face worm-gear is based on application of a tilted head-cutter (grinding tool) instead of application of a hob applied at present. The generation of a conjugated worm is based on application of a tilted head-cutter (grinding tool) as well. The bearing contact of the gear drive is localized and is oriented longitudinally. A predesigned parabolic function of transmission errors for reduction of noise and vibration is provided. The stress analysis of the gear drive is performed using a three-dimensional finite element analysis. The contacting model is automatically generated. The developed theory is illustrated with numerical examples.

Litvin, Faydor L.↗

Contact Stress Analysis of Spiral Bevel Gears Using Finite Element Analysis

A procedure is presented for performing three-dimensional stress analysis of spiral bevel gears in mesh using the finite element method. The procedure involves generating a finite element model by solving equations that identify tooth surface coordinates. Coordinate transformations are used to orientate the gear and pinion for gear meshing. Contact boundary conditions are simulated with gap elements. A solution technique for correct orientation of the gap elements is given. Example models and results are presented.

Bibel, G. D.↗

Computational strategies for tire monitoring and analysis

Computational strategies are presented for the modeling and analysis of tires in contact with pavement. A procedure is introduced for simple and accurate determination of tire cross-sectional geometric characteristics from a digitally scanned image. Three new strategies for reducing the computational effort in the finite element solution of tire-pavement contact are also presented. These strategies take advantage of the observation that footprint loads do not usually stimulate a significant tire response away from the pavement contact region. The finite element strategies differ in their level of approximation and required amount of computer resources. The effectiveness of the strategies is demonstrated by numerical examples of frictionless and frictional contact of the space shuttle Orbiter nose-gear tire. Both an in-house research code and a commercial finite element code are used in the numerical studies.

Danielson, Kent T.↗

NASA/Army Rotorcraft Transmission Research, a Review of Recent Significant Accomplishments

A joint helicopter transmission research program between NASA Lewis Research Center and the U.S. Army Research Lab has existed since 1970. Research goals are to reduce weight and noise while increasing life, reliability, and safety. These research goals are achieved by the NASA/Army Mechanical Systems Technology Branch through both in-house research and cooperative research projects with university and industry partners. Some recent significant technical accomplishments produced by this cooperative research are reviewed. The following research projects are reviewed: oil-off survivability of tapered roller bearings, design and evaluation of high contact ratio gearing, finite element analysis of spiral bevel gears, computer numerical control grinding of spiral bevel gears, gear dynamics code validation, computer program for life and reliability of helicopter transmissions, planetary gear train efficiency study, and the Advanced Rotorcraft Transmission (ART) program.

Krantz, Timothy L.↗

Off axis loading of silicon carbide fibers in a titanium aluminide matrix

Silicon carbide SCS-6 fibers in a Ti24A1 + 11Nb matrix were subjected to off axis loading in a 'thin-slice' pushout test, resulting in various combinations of shear, radial compression, and tension along the fibers as a function of orientation angle. The load necessary for debonding decreased as the orientation angle increased, whereas the average frictional sliding stress after 60 s of sliding remained relatively constant for orientation angles less than 30 deg. Analyses of the specimen bending stresses and of the contact stresses by finite element modeling and thin plate theory are presented.

Kennefick, C. M.↗

Improved method for stress and compatibility analysis of multicomponent rotating systems

An improved method of analyzing multicomponent rotating assemblies for the determination of operating stresses and component compatibility has been developed. In this method, a single finite element model is developed which contains all of the separate components in the rotating assembly. This is made possible by using gap elements to simulate the contact surfaces between components. The MARC finite element computer program is then used to perform the analysis. This improved method is less time consuming and more reliable than the conventional method of analyzing such systems. Results are presented for two different stress-compatibility analyses of a six-component axial flow compressor rotor. The results for the previously used flexibility analysis method are compared with those for the improved analysis method. The stresses predicted by each method compare quite well with each other. The predictions of the component compatibility, as well as the magnitude of the forces at the contact surfaces, also compare well for these two analysis procedures. It is therefore recommended that the improved analysis method be used to determine the stress-compatibility characterstics of multicomponent rotating systems.

Carek, Gerald A.↗

Dynamic responses of graphite/epoxy laminated beam to impact of elastic spheres

Wave propagation in 90/45/90/-45/902s and 0/45/0/-45/02s laminates of a graphite/epoxy composite due to impact of a steel ball was investigated experimentally and also by using a high order beam finite element. Dynamic strain responses at several locations were obtained using strain gages. The finite element program which incorporated statically determined contact laws was employed to calculate the contact force history as well as the target beam dynamic deformation. The comparison of the finite element solutions with the experimental data indicated that the static contact laws for loading and unloading (developed under this grant) are adequate for the dynamic impact analysis. It was found that for the 0/45/0/-45/02s laminate which has a much larger longitudinal bending rigidity, the use of beam finite elements is not suitable and plate finite element should be used instead.

Sun, C. T.↗