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At least 361 records · Page 20

Improved method for calculating strain energy release rate based on beam theory

The Timoshenko beam theory was used to model cracked beams and to calculate the total strain-energy release rate. The root rotations of the beam segments at the crack tip were estimated based on an approximate two-dimensional elasticity solution. By including the strain energy released due to the root rotations of the beams during crack extension, the strain-energy release rate obtained using beam theory agrees very well with the two-dimensional finite element solution. Numerical examples were given for various beam geometries and loading conditions. Comparisons with existing beam models were also given.

Sun, C. T.↗

Application of AWE for RCS Frequency Response Calculations Using Method of Moments

An implementation of the Asymptotic Waveform Evaluation (AWE) technique is presented for obtaining the frequency response of the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of arbitrarily shaped, three-dimensional perfect electric conductor (PEC) bodies. An Electric Field Integral Equation (EFIE) is solved using the Method of Moments (MoM) to compute the RCS. The electric current, thus obtained, is expanded in a Taylor series around the frequency of interest. The coefficients of the Taylor series (called 'moments') are obtained using the frequency derivatives of the EFIE. Using the moments, the electric current on the PEC body is obtained over a frequency band. Using the electric current at different frequencies, RCS of the PEC body is obtained over a wide frequency band. Numerical results for a square plate, a cube, and a sphere are presented over a bandwidth. A good agreement between AWE and the exact solution over the bandwidth is observed.

Reddy, C. J.↗

Application of Model Based Parameter Estimation for RCS Frequency Response Calculations Using Method of Moments

An implementation of the Model Based Parameter Estimation (MBPE) technique is presented for obtaining the frequency response of the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of arbitrarily shaped, three-dimensional perfect electric conductor (PEC) bodies. An Electric Field Integral Equation (EFTE) is solved using the Method of Moments (MoM) to compute the RCS. The electric current is expanded in a rational function and the coefficients of the rational function are obtained using the frequency derivatives of the EFIE. Using the rational function, the electric current on the PEC body is obtained over a frequency band. Using the electric current at different frequencies, RCS of the PEC body is obtained over a wide frequency band. Numerical results for a square plate, a cube, and a sphere are presented over a bandwidth. Good agreement between MBPE and the exact solution over the bandwidth is observed.

Reddy, C. J.↗

A Method for Calculating Strain Energy Release Rates in Preliminary Design of Composite Skin/Stringer Debonding Under Multi-Axial Loading

Three simple procedures were developed to determine strain energy release rates, G, in composite skin/stringer specimens for various combinations of unaxial and biaxial (in-plane/out-of-plane) loading conditions. These procedures may be used for parametric design studies in such a way that only a few finite element computations will be necessary for a study of many load combinations. The results were compared with mixed mode strain energy release rates calculated directly from nonlinear two-dimensional plane-strain finite element analyses using the virtual crack closure technique. The first procedure involved solving three unknown parameters needed to determine the energy release rates. Good agreement was obtained when the external loads were used in the expression derived. This superposition technique was only applicable if the structure exhibits a linear load/deflection behavior. Consequently, a second technique was derived which was applicable in the case of nonlinear load/deformation behavior. The technique involved calculating six unknown parameters from a set of six simultaneous linear equations with data from six nonlinear analyses to determine the energy release rates. This procedure was not time efficient, and hence, less appealing. A third procedure was developed to calculate mixed mode energy release rates as a function of delamination lengths. This procedure required only one nonlinear finite element analysis of the specimen with a single delamination length to obtain a reference solution for the energy release rates and the scale factors. The delamination was extended in three separate linear models of the local area in the vicinity of the delamination subjected to unit loads to obtain the distribution of G with delamination lengths. This set of sub-problems was Although additional modeling effort is required to create the sub- models, this local technique is efficient for parametric studies.

Krueger, Ronald↗

A Method for Calculating the Probability of Successfully Completing a Rocket Propulsion Ground Test

Propulsion ground test facilities face the daily challenges of scheduling multiple customers into limited facility space and successfully completing their propulsion test projects. Due to budgetary and schedule constraints, NASA and industry customers are pushing to test more components, for less money, in a shorter period of time. As these new rocket engine component test programs are undertaken, the lack of technology maturity in the test articles, combined with pushing the test facilities capabilities to their limits, tends to lead to an increase in facility breakdowns and unsuccessful tests. Over the last five years Stennis Space Center's propulsion test facilities have performed hundreds of tests, collected thousands of seconds of test data, and broken numerous test facility and test article parts. While various initiatives have been implemented to provide better propulsion test techniques and improve the quality, reliability, and maintainability of goods and parts used in the propulsion test facilities, unexpected failures during testing still occur quite regularly due to the harsh environment in which the propulsion test facilities operate. Previous attempts at modeling the lifecycle of a propulsion component test project have met with little success. Each of the attempts suffered form incomplete or inconsistent data on which to base the models. By focusing on the actual test phase of the tests project rather than the formulation, design or construction phases of the test project, the quality and quantity of available data increases dramatically. A logistic regression model has been developed form the data collected over the last five years, allowing the probability of successfully completing a rocket propulsion component test to be calculated. A logistic regression model is a mathematical modeling approach that can be used to describe the relationship of several independent predictor variables X(sub 1), X(sub 2),..,X(sub k) to a binary or dichotomous dependent variable Y, where Y can only be one of two possible outcomes, in this case Success or Failure. Logistic regression has primarily been used in the fields of epidemiology and biomedical research, but lends itself to many other applications. As indicated the use of logistic regression is not new, however, modeling propulsion ground test facilities using logistic regression is both a new and unique application of the statistical technique. Results from the models provide project managers with insight and confidence into the affectivity of rocket engine component ground test projects. The initial success in modeling rocket propulsion ground test projects clears the way for more complex models to be developed in this area.

Messer, Bradley P.↗

An Approximate Method for Calculation of the Laminar Boundary Layer with Suction for Bodies of Arbitrary Shape

Various ways were tried recently to decrease the friction drag of a body in a flow; they all employ influencing the boundary layer. One of them consists in keeping the boundary layer Laminar by suction; promising tests have been carried out. Since for large Reynolds numbers the friction drag of the laminar boundary layer is much lower than that of the turbulent boundary layer, a considerable saving in drag results from keeping the boundary layer laminar, even with the blower power required for suction taken into account. The boundary layer is kept laminar by suction in two ways: first, by reduction of the thickness of the boundary layer and second, by the fact that the suction changes the form of the velocity distribution so that it becomes more stable, in a manner similar to the change by a pressure drop. There by the critical Reynolds number of the boundary layer (USigma*/V) (sub crit) becomes considerably higher than for the case without suction. This latter circumstance takes full effect only if continuous suction is applied which one might visualize realized through a porous wall. Thus the suction quantities required for keeping the boundary layer laminar become so small that the suction must be regarded as a very promising auxiliary means for drag reduction.

Schlichting, H.↗

A Method for Calculating the Probability of Successfully Completing a Rocket Propulsion Ground Test

Propulsion ground test facilities face the daily challenge of scheduling multiple customers into limited facility space and successfully completing their propulsion test projects. Over the last decade NASA s propulsion test facilities have performed hundreds of tests, collected thousands of seconds of test data, and exceeded the capabilities of numerous test facility and test article components. A logistic regression mathematical modeling technique has been developed to predict the probability of successfully completing a rocket propulsion test. A logistic regression model is a mathematical modeling approach that can be used to describe the relationship of several independent predictor variables X(sub 1), X(sub 2),.., X(sub k) to a binary or dichotomous dependent variable Y, where Y can only be one of two possible outcomes, in this case Success or Failure of accomplishing a full duration test. The use of logistic regression modeling is not new; however, modeling propulsion ground test facilities using logistic regression is both a new and unique application of the statistical technique. Results from this type of model provide project managers with insight and confidence into the effectiveness of rocket propulsion ground testing.

Messer, Bradley↗

Evaluation of Multiple Methods for Calculating Gray Equivalent

The assessment of different algorithms to determine the Gray-Equivalent as defined in NASA-STD-3001 from a source of space radiation has been evaluated in this paper. The Gray-Equivalent applies an RBE (Relative Biological Effectiveness) to the dose seen at the organ of interest in a human phantom. The current design basis solar particle event was used in the assessments along with the August 1972 event modeled by J.H. King and with idealized spheres and two vehicle designs. Three different algorithms were used and compared. One of the algorithms was the current OLTARIS algorithm. This algorithm is astronaut orientation averaged, which is not what happens in a storm shelter during a solar particle event. Two other algorithms were proposed to eliminate this issue. It is clear that either algorithm will be adequate to satisfy NASA-STD-3001 requirements. This work recommends the algorithm which applies the RBEs to the phantom points instead of at the surface of the phantom as with the current OLTARIS algorithm.

Gray Equivalent↗

Calculating the Performance of a Solar Reflector

New method calculates efficiency and useful heat of parabolic solar concentrator. Method uses three-part nomogram, consisting of a main chart and two other components. User enters the nomogram using known factors, then proceeds to plot lines to intercepts on nomogram to find results.

Selcuk, M. K.↗

An elliptic representation of coupled boundary layers and inviscid core for computation of separated internal flows

This report presents a viscous-inviscid calculation method for the prediction of turbulent incompressible flows in diffusers with small regions of stall. Integral turbulent boundary layer equations (BLE) are used to provide boundary conditions for a finite difference representation of the inviscid core. The BLE are applied at the floating displacement-thickness line, resulting in a simulataneous set of nonlinear block tridiagonal equations which are solved iteratively using a sucessive line-relaxation technique. Results of the method have been applied to calculate the performance of a variety of asymmetric stalled diffusers.

Ghose, S.↗