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At least 37 records · Page 2

Strain Gauges Indicate Differential-CTE-Induced Failures

A method of detecting mechanical failure induced by variation in temperature at an adhesive bond between two materials that have different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) involves monitoring of strain-gauge readings. This method can be regarded as an exploitation of the prior observation that the readings of strain gauges commonly used in tensile and compressive testing of material specimens include features indicative of incremental failures in the specimens. In this method, one or more strain gauges are bonded to either or both of the two materials near the bond between the materials. (The adhesive used to bond the strain gauges would not ordinarily be the same as the one used to bond the two materials). Then strain-gauge readings are recorded as the temperature of the materials is varied through a range of interest. Any significant discontinuity in the slope of the resulting strain-versus-temperature curve(s) is taken to be a qualitative indication of a failure of the bond between the two materials and/or a failure within one of the materials in the vicinity of the bond. The method has been demonstrated in experiments on specimens consisting of polyacrylonitrile-fiber/epoxy-matrix laminated composite plates bonded by epoxy to smaller plates made, variously, of aluminum, titanium, and a low-CTE nickel/iron alloy. In preparation for each experiment, strain gauges were bonded, by use of cryogenic-rated adhesives, to the composite plate near the corners of the metal plate (see Figure 1). In each experiment, strain-gauge and temperature readings were taken as the specimen was cooled from room temperature to 20 K. The specimens were then returned to room temperature and ultrasonically inspected for damage in the bond region. No failure events were detectable in the strain-gauge readings from the composite/ titanium and composite/low-thermalexpansion- alloy specimens, and ultrasonic inspection of these specimens revealed no damage. However, failure events were seen in the strain-gauge readings from the composite/aluminum specimens (see Figure 2), and ultrasonic inspection confirmed that there was damage in the bond regions of these specimens.

Harris, Brian↗

Low Temperature Creep of Hot-Extruded Near-Stoichiometric NiTi Shape Memory Alloy: Effect of Thermal Cycling - Part 2

This paper is the first report on the effect prior low temperature creep on the thermal cycling behavior of NiTi. The isothermal low temperature creep behavior of near-stoichiometric NiTi between 300 and 473 K was discussed in Part I. The effect of temperature cycling on its creep behavior is reported in the present paper (Part II). Temperature cycling tests were conducted between either 300 or 373 K and 473 K under a constant applied stress of either 250 or 350 MPa with hold times lasting at each temperature varying between 300 and 700 h. Each specimen was pre-crept either at 300 or at 473 K for several months under an identical applied stress as that used in the subsequent thermal cycling tests. Irrespective of the initial pre-crept microstructures, the specimens exhibited a considerable increase in strain with each thermal cycle so that the total strain continued to build-up to 15 to 20 percent after only 5 cycles. Creep strains were immeasurably small during the hold periods. It is demonstrated that the strains in the austenite and martensite are linearly correlated. Interestingly, the differential irrecoverable strain, in the material measured in either phase decreases with increasing number of cycles, similar to the well-known Manson-Coffin relation in low cycle fatigue. Both phases are shown to undergo strain hardening due to the development of residual stresses. Plots of true creep rate against absolute temperature showed distinct peaks and valleys during the cool-down and heat-up portions of the thermal cycles, respectively. Transformation temperatures determined from the creep data revealed that the austenitic start and finish temperatures were more sensitive to the pre-crept martensitic phase than to the pre-crept austenitic phase. The results are discussed in terms of a phenomenological model, where it is suggested that thermal cycling between the austenitic and martensitic phase temperatures or vice versa results in the deformation of the austenite and a corresponding development of a back stress due to a significant increase in the dislocation density during thermal cycling.

Raj, S. V.↗

Influence of Microgravity on Arterial Baroreflex Responses Triggered by Valsalva's Maneuver

When astronauts return to Earth and stand upright, their heart rates may speed inordinately, their blood pressures may fall, and some returning astronauts may even faint. Since physiological adjustments to standing are mediated importantly by pressure-regulating reflexes (baroreflexes), we studied involuntary (or autonomic) nerve and blood pressure responses of astronauts to four, 15-second periods of 15- and 30-mmHg straining (Valsalva'.~ maneuver). We measured the electrocardiogram, finger blood pressure, respiration, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity in four healthy male astronauts before and during the 16-day Neurolab Space Shuttle mission. We found that although microgravity provoked major autonomic changes, no astronaut experienced fainting symptoms after the mission. Blood pressure fell more during straining in space than on Earth (the average reduction of systolic pressure with 30-mmHg straining was 49 mmHg during and 27 mmHg before the mission). However, the increases of muscle sympathetic nerve activity that were triggered by straining were also larger in space than on Earth. As a result, the gain of the sympathetic baroreflex, taken as the total sympathetic nerve response divided by the maximum pressure reduction during straining, was the same in space as on Earth. In contrast, heart rate changes, which are mediated by changes of vagus nerve activity, were smaller in space. This and earlier research suggest that exposure to microgravity augments blood pressure and sympathetic adjustments to Valsalva straining and differentially reduces vagal, but not sympathetic baroreflex responsiveness. The changes that we documented can be explained economically as a consequence of the blood volume reduction that occurs in space.

Eckberg, Dwain L.↗

Influence of microgravity on astronauts' sympathetic and vagal responses to Valsalva's manoeuvre

When astronauts return to Earth and stand, their heart rates may speed inordinately, their blood pressures may fall, and some may experience frank syncope. We studied brief autonomic and haemodynamic transients provoked by graded Valsalva manoeuvres in astronauts on Earth and in space, and tested the hypothesis that exposure to microgravity impairs sympathetic as well as vagal baroreflex responses. We recorded the electrocardiogram, finger photoplethysmographic arterial pressure, respiration and peroneal nerve muscle sympathetic activity in four healthy male astronauts (aged 38-44 years) before, during and after the 16 day Neurolab space shuttle mission. Astronauts performed two 15 s Valsalva manoeuvres at each pressure, 15 and 30 mmHg, in random order. Although no astronaut experienced presyncope after the mission, microgravity provoked major changes. For example, the average systolic pressure reduction during 30 mmHg straining was 27 mmHg pre-flight and 49 mmHg in flight. Increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity during straining were also much greater in space than on Earth. For example, mean normalized sympathetic activity increased 445% during 30 mmHg straining on earth and 792% in space. However, sympathetic baroreflex gain, taken as the integrated sympathetic response divided by the maximum diastolic pressure reduction during straining, was the same in space and on Earth. In contrast, vagal baroreflex gain, particularly during arterial pressure reductions, was diminished in space. This and earlier research suggest that exposure of healthy humans to microgravity augments arterial pressure and sympathetic responses to Valsalva straining and differentially reduces vagal, but not sympathetic baroreflex gain.

Non-NASA Center↗

Compression behavior of delaminated composite plates

The response of delaminated composite plates to compressive in-plane loads was investigated. The delaminated region may be either circular or elliptical, and may be located between any two plies of the laminate. For elliptical delaminations, the axes of the ellipse may be arbitrarily oriented with respect to the applied loads. A model was developed that describes the stresses, strains, and deformation of the sublaminate created by the delamination. The mathematical model is based on a two dimensional nonlinear plate theory that includes the effects of transverse shear deformation. The model takes into account thermal and moisture induced strains, transverse pressures acting on the sublaminate, and contact between the sublaminate and plate. The solution technique used is the Ritz method. A computationally efficient computer implementation of the model was developed. The code can be used to predict the nonlinear-load-strain behavior of the sublaminate including the buckling load, postbuckling behavior, and the onset of delamination growth. The accuracy of the code was evaluated by comparing the model results to benchmark analytical solutions. A series of experiments was conducted on Fiberite T300/976 graphite/epoxy laminates bonded to an aluminum honeycomb core forming a sandwich panel. Either circles or ellipses made from Teflon film were embedded in the laminates, simulating the presence of a delamination. Each specimen was loaded in compression and the strain history of the sublaminate was recorded far into the postbuckling regime. The extent of delamination growth was evaluated by C-scan examination of each specimen. The experimental data were compared to code predictions. The code was found to describe the data with reasonable accuracy. A sensitivity study examined the relative importance of various material properties, the delamination dimensions, the contact model, the transverse pressure differential, the critical strain energy release rate, and the relative growth direction on the buckling load, the postbuckling behavior, and the growth load of the sublaminate.

Peck, Scott O.↗

Two-dimensional high temperature strain measurement system

Two-dimensional optical strain measurements on high temperature test specimens are presented. This two-dimensional capability is implemented through a rotatable sensitive strain axis. Three components of surface strain can be measured automatically, from which the first and second principal strains are calculated. One- and two-dimensional strain measurements at temperatures beyond 750 C with a resolution of 15 microstrain are demonstrated. The system is based on a one-dimensional speckle shift technique. The speckle shift technique makes use of the linear relationship between surface strain and the differential shift of laser speckle patterns in the diffraction plane. Laser speckle is a phase effect that occurs when spatially coherent light interacts with an optically rough surface. Since speckle is generated by any diffusely reflecting surface, no specimen preparation is needed to obtain a good signal. Testing was done at room temperature on a flat specimen of Inconel 600 mounted in a fatigue testing machine. A load cell measured the stress on the specimen before and after acquiring the speckle data. Strain components were measured at 0 C (parallel to the load axis) and at plus or minus 45 C, and plots indicate the calculated values of the first and second principal strains. The measured values of Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio are in good agreement with handbook values. Good linearity of the principal strain moduli at high temperatures indicate precision and stability of the system. However, a systematic error in the high-temperature test setup introduced a scale factor in the slopes of the two-dimensional stress-strain curves. No high temperature effects, however, have been observed to degrade speckle correlation.

Lant, Christian T.↗

PLZT matrix-type block data composers

Description of the characteristics of PLZT-matrix type block data composers operated in the strain-biased, scattering, differential phase, and edge-effect modes. The operation peculiarities of each of these four modes are discussed, and their respective merits are compared.

Drake, M. D.↗

High Temperature Capacitive Strain Gage

Capacitive strain gages designed for measurements in wind tunnels to 2000 F were built and evaluated. Two design approaches were followed. One approach was based on fixed capacitor plates with a movable ground plane inserted between the plates to effect differential capacitive output with strain. The second approach was based on movable capacitor plates suspended between sapphire bearings, housed in a rugged body, and arranged to operate as a differential capacitor. A sapphire bearing gage (1/4 in. diameter x 1 in. in size) was built with a range of 50,000 and a resolution of 200 microstrain. Apparent strain on Rene' 41 was less than + or - 1000 microstrain from room temperature to 2000 F. Three gage models were built from the Ground Plane Differential concept. The first was 1/4 in. square by 1/32 in. high and useable to 700 F. The second was 1/2 in. square by 1/16 in. high and useable to 1440 F. The third, also 1/2 in. square by 1/16 in. high was expected to operate in the 1600 to 2000 F range, but was not tested because time and funding ended.

Wnuk, Stephen P., Jr.↗

Thermal effects on fiber optic strain sensors embedded in graphite-epoxy composites

Smart structures deployed in low earth orbit will be exposed to a hostile environment which will include temperature extremes during each orbit as the platform moves from the day to the night side. The stresses due to thermal cycling may compromise the performance of embedded fiber optic strain sensors because of differential thermal expansion of the fiber and the composite material. The effects of elevated temperature and thermal cycling on the performance of a fiber optic strain sensor embedded in a graphite-epoxy tube have been investigated for temperatures from 65 to 220 F. The results indicate that the fiber optic strain sensor measurements correlate well with conventional resistance strain gages attached to the tube.

Rogowski, R. S.↗

Anaerovirgula multivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., a Novel Spore-Forming, Alkaliphilic Anaerobe Isolated from Owens Lake, California, USA

A novel, alkaliphilic, obligately anaerobic bacterium, strain SCAT, was isolated from mud sediments of a soda lake in California, USA. The rod-shaped cells were motile, Gram-positive, formed spores and were 0.4-0.5x2.5-5.0 micrometers in size. Growth occurred within the pH range 6.7-10.0 and was optimal at pH 8.5. The temperature range for growth was 10-45 degrees C, with optimal growth at 35 degrees C. NaCl was required for growth. Growth occurred at 0.5-9.0% (w/v) NaCl and was optimal at 1-2% (w/v). The novel isolate was a catalase-negative chemo-organoheterotroph that fermented sugars, proteolysis products, some organic and amino acids, glycerol, d-cellobiose and cellulose. It was also capable of growth by the Stickland reaction. Strain SCAT was sensitive to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, rifampicin and gentamicin, but it was resistant to ampicillin and kanamycin. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 34.2 mol%. Major fatty acid components were C14:0, iso-C15:0, C16:1omega9c and C16:0. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain SCAT showed a similarity of approximately 97% with the type strains of Clostridium formicaceticum and Clostridium aceticum in clostridial cluster XI and a similarity of less than 94.2% to any other recognized Clostridium species and those of related genera in this cluster. Strain SCAT was clearly differentiated from C. formicaceticum and C. aceticum based on comparison of their phenotypic properties and fatty acid profiles, as well as low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain SCAT and the type strains of these two species. Therefore, strain SCAT is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, Anaerovirgula multivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., in clostridial cluster XI. The type strain is SCAT (=ATCC BAA-1084T=JCM 12857T=DSM 17722T=CIP 107910T).

Pikuta, Elena V.↗

Neural Network Prediction of Failure of Damaged Composite Pressure Vessels from Strain Field Data Acquired by a Computer Vision Method

This effort used a new and novel method of acquiring strains called Sub-pixel Digital Video Image Correlation (SDVIC) on impact damaged Kevlar/epoxy filament wound pressure vessels during a proof test. To predict the burst pressure, the hoop strain field distribution around the impact location from three vessels was used to train a neural network. The network was then tested on additional pressure vessels. Several variations on the network were tried. The best results were obtained using a single hidden layer. SDVIC is a fill-field non-contact computer vision technique which provides in-plane deformation and strain data over a load differential. This method was used to determine hoop and axial displacements, hoop and axial linear strains, the in-plane shear strains and rotations in the regions surrounding impact sites in filament wound pressure vessels (FWPV) during proof loading by internal pressurization. The relationship between these deformation measurement values and the remaining life of the pressure vessels, however, requires a complex theoretical model or numerical simulation. Both of these techniques are time consuming and complicated. Previous results using neural network methods had been successful in predicting the burst pressure for graphite/epoxy pressure vessels based upon acoustic emission (AE) measurements in similar tests. The neural network associates the character of the AE amplitude distribution, which depends upon the extent of impact damage, with the burst pressure. Similarly, higher amounts of impact damage are theorized to cause a higher amount of strain concentration in the damage effected zone at a given pressure and result in lower burst pressures. This relationship suggests that a neural network might be able to find an empirical relationship between the SDVIC strain field data and the burst pressure, analogous to the AE method, with greater speed and simplicity than theoretical or finite element modeling. The process of testing SDVIC neural network analysis and some encouraging preliminary results are presented in this paper. Details are given concerning the processing of SDVIC output data such that it may be used as back propagation neural network (BPNN) input data. The software written to perform this processing and the BPNN algorithm are also discussed. It will be shown that, with limited training, test results indicate an average error in burst pressure prediction of approximately six percent,

Russell, Samuel S.↗

A small-scale turbulence model

A previously derived analytical model for the small-scale structure of turbulence is reformulated in such a way that the energy spectrum may be computed. The model is an ensemble of two-dimensional (2D) vortices with internal spiral structure, each stretched by an axially symmetric strain flow. Stretching and differential rotation produce an energy cascade to smaller scales in which the stretching represents the effect of instabilities and the spiral structure is the source of dissipation at the end of the cascade. The energy spectrum of the resulting flow may be expressed as a time integration involving only the enstrophy spectrum of the time evolving 2D cross section flow, which may be obtained numerically. Examples are given in which a k exp -5/3 spectrum is obtained by this method. The k exp -5/3 inertial range spectrum is shown to be related to the existence of a self-similar enstrophy preserving range in the 2D enstrophy spectrum. The results are found to be insensitive to time dependence of the strain rate, including even intermittent on-or-off strains.

Lundgren, T. S.↗

Analysis of bonded joints

A refined elastic analysis of bonded joints which accounts for transverse shear deformation and transverse normal stress was developed to obtain the stresses and displacements in the adherends and in the bond. The displacements were expanded in terms of polynomials in the thicknesswise coordinate; the coefficients of these polynomials were functions of the axial coordinate. The stress distribution was obtained in terms of these coefficients by using strain-displacement and stress-strain relations. The governing differential equations were obtained by integrating the equations of equilibrium, and were solved. The boundary conditions (interface or support) were satisfied to complete the analysis. Single-lap, flush, and double-lap joints were analyzed, along with the effects of adhesive properties, plate thicknesses, material properties, and plate taper on maximum peel and shear stresses in the bond. The results obtained by using the thin-beam analysis available in the literature were compared with the results obtained by using the refined analysis. In general, thin-beam analysis yielded reasonably accurate results, but in certain cases the errors were high. Numerical investigations showed that the maximum peel and shear stresses in the bond can be reduced by (1) using a combination of flexible and stiff bonds, (2) using stiffer lap plates, and (3) tapering the plates.

Srinivas, S.↗

Experimental Investigation of a Graphite-Composite Intertank Section for a Reusable Launch Vehicle

The use of graphite-composites as primary structure is essential for the development of a cost effective single-stage-to-orbit reusable launch vehicle (RLV). A full-scale segment of a graphite-composite intertank was designed and fabricated by an industry team and tested at NASA Langley Research Center as a part of the RLV technology development program. The intertank test component was approximately 3.0 m long by 6.7 m wide and included slightly less than a 90deg section of a cylindrical intertank. The test article was fabricated using graphite-bismaelimide composite material and consisted of a hat-stiffened skin with five ring frames. The stiffeners were secondarily bonded to the panel skin and the ring frames were mechanically attached. The test article was loaded to failure with a uniform compression load applied by 21 individually controlled hydraulic actuators. Resistance strain gages, linear variable differential transformers and video cameras were used to measure and record the test results. A linear f d t e element analysis of the test article and test fixture was performed. The test results verified the structural integrity cf the intertank test article up to the design limit load. However, the test article failed in general skin buckling between the ring frames at a load 1.08 times design limit load. This load was considerably lower than the expected failure load. The cause of premature failure is being investigated. Good correlation of the test and analysis results was obtained for loads up to the design limit load.

Sawyer, James Wayne↗

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2007

Topics include: Wearable Environmental and Physiological Sensing Unit; Broadband Phase Retrieval for Image-Based Wavefront Sensing; Filter Function for Wavefront Sensing Over a Field of View; Iterative-Transform Phase Retrieval Using Adaptive Diversity; Wavefront Sensing With Switched Lenses for Defocus Diversity; Smooth Phase Interpolated Keying; Maintaining Stability During a Conducted-Ripple EMC Test; Photodiode Preamplifier for Laser Ranging With Weak Signals; Advanced High-Definition Video Cameras; Circuit for Full Charging of Series Lithium-Ion Cells; Analog Nonvolatile Computer Memory Circuits; JavaGenes Molecular Evolution; World Wind 3D Earth Viewing; Lithium Dinitramide as an Additive in Lithium Power Cells; Accounting for Uncertainties in Strengths of SiC MEMS Parts; Ion-Conducting Organic/Inorganic Polymers; MoO3 Cathodes for High-Temperature Lithium Thin-Film Cells; Counterrotating-Shoulder Mechanism for Friction Stir Welding; Strain Gauges Indicate Differential-CTE-Induced Failures; Antibodies Against Three Forms of Urokinase; Understanding and Counteracting Fatigue in Flight Crews; Active Correction of Aberrations of Low-Quality Telescope Optics; Dual-Beam Atom Laser Driven by Spinor Dynamics; Rugged, Tunable Extended-Cavity Diode Laser; Balloon for Long-Duration, High-Altitude Flight at Venus; and Wide-Temperature-Range Integrated Operational Amplifier.

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