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Results for “variational analysis”

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.

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At least 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Analysis of space geodetic measurements for studying the dynamics of the solid Earth

During the last decade, there has been an unprecedented improvement in both the accuracy and the temporal resolution of Earth rotation measurements. Determination of the position of the Earth's rotation axis both in inertial space and with respect to the crust with accuracies of about 0.3 milliarcseconds (mas) are now routine. In recent years, there has been an emphasis on the determination of short-period (daily and less) variations in Earth rotation. Two space based geodetic systems, very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) and the global positioning system (GPS) have proved to be very successful in this endeavor. Results for the tidally coherent part of the subdaily Earth rotation variations determined from the analysis of VLBI data are discussed. The magnitude of other subdaily variations are also considered.

Herring, Thomas A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Accurate interlaminar stress recovery from finite element analysis

The accuracy and robustness of a two-dimensional smoothing methodology is examined for the problem of recovering accurate interlaminar shear stress distributions in laminated composite and sandwich plates. The smoothing methodology is based on a variational formulation which combines discrete least-squares and penalty-constraint functionals in a single variational form. The smoothing analysis utilizes optimal strains computed at discrete locations in a finite element analysis. These discrete strain data are smoothed with a smoothing element discretization, producing superior accuracy strains and their first gradients. The approach enables the resulting smooth strain field to be practically C1-continuous throughout the domain of smoothing, exhibiting superconvergent properties of the smoothed quantity. The continuous strain gradients are also obtained directly from the solution. The recovered strain gradients are subsequently employed in the integration o equilibrium equations to obtain accurate interlaminar shear stresses. The problem is a simply-supported rectangular plate under a doubly sinusoidal load. The problem has an exact analytic solution which serves as a measure of goodness of the recovered interlaminar shear stresses. The method has the versatility of being applicable to the analysis of rather general and complex structures built of distinct components and materials, such as found in aircraft design. For these types of structures, the smoothing is achieved with 'patches', each patch covering the domain in which the smoothed quantity is physically continuous.

Tessler, Alexander↗
NASA NTRS1984

Quantification of waste morphology in Martian fretted terrain

Qualitative and quantitative analyses are performed on the northern fretted terrain of the Martian Isnenius Lacus quadrangle to determine the formation processes. The fretted terrain lies between 35-50 deg N latitude and 305-350 deg W longitude and was mapped with Viking orbiter instrumentation. The dominant landforms are a sequence of heavily cratered terrain, scattered flat-floored, fretted valleys, linear waste-covered valleys between flat-topped mesas, circum-mesa debris areas, a transition from mesas to knobby terrain, fewer upland forms, and low-relief, mantled, polar plains. The features spread out from a cratered terrain boundary in a succession of shapes. A principal components analysis characterizes definable spatial variations in the surface morphology and suggests that the features are youngest in the southwest direction. Relationships are also found between neighboring features. The principal components analysis technique is concluded to be a valuable tool for explaining the geomorphic evolution of the Martian surface.

Kochel, R. C.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Orion Artemis-1 Post-Flight Characterization

This abstract discusses the post-flight characterization of the heatshield used in the Orion Artemis-1 mission, which is a significant milestone in human space exploration. The Artemis-1 heatshield is a crucial component designed to protect the spacecraft during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. It experiences extreme temperatures and forces as it encounters the intense heat generated by the friction between the spacecraft and the atmospheric gases. The post-flight characterization of the Artemis-1 heatshield involves analyzing its surface morphology and elemental composition. This analysis provides valuable insights into the performance and durability of the heatshield during the mission. By utilizing techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), a detailed examination of the heatshield’s surface features, and elemental composition can be conducted. The SEM analysis offers high-resolution imaging capabilities, enabling detailed observations of the heatshield’s surface morphology. EDX analysis provides elemental analysis, allowing for an assessment of any compositional changes induced by the thermal and environmental conditions experienced during the mission. This information is crucial for understanding the material's response to the extreme conditions and identifying any potential issues or degradation. Furthermore, density profiling analysis is performed to measure density variations across the depth of the heatshield material. This analysis offers insights into the effects of the mission on the heatshield, such as potential ablation, or changes in material porosity. Understanding these density variations helps to evaluate the heatshield's structural integrity and its ability to withstand future missions. This knowledge contributes to the ongoing development of advanced heatshield designs, enhancing their thermal protection capabilities and ensuring the safety of future manned missions to the Moon and beyond.

Tane Boghozian↗
NASA NTRS1957

Rocket thrust variation with foamed liquid propellants

An analysis is presented on a method for varying rocket thrust by varying the bulk density of the propellants. This density variation was accomplished by uniformly dispersing an inert, insoluble gas in the liquid propellants. Only qualitative agreement with theory was obtained from preliminary experiments with a 1000-pound-thrust ammonia - nitric acid rocket engine; the required experimental gas-flow rates were two to six times greater than those predicted by theory. It was demonstrated, however, that this method of rocket-thrust variation is feasible.

Morrell, G↗
NASA NTRS1998

Effect of the thickness variation and initial imperfection on buckling of composite cylindrical shells: Asymptotic analysis and numerical results by BOSOR4 and PANDA2

This study is an extension of a previous investigation of the combined effect of axisymmetric thickness variation and axisymmetric initial geometric imperfection on buckling of isotropic shells under uniform axial compression. Here the anisotropic cylindrical shells are investigated by means of Koiter's energy criterion. An asymptotic formula is derived which can be used to determine the critical buckling load for composite shells with combined initial geometric imperfection and thickness variation. Results are compared with those obtained by the software packages BOSOR4 and PANDA2.

Li, Yi-Wei↗
NASA NTRS1968

Guidance and control analysis and integration

Automation of variational methods for solution of optimum control problems, optical data sources for Mars-encounter earth-based orbit determination, and operational support equipment

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1976

A far-ultraviolet photometer for planetary surface analysis

The measurement of local variations in the far-ultraviolet albedo is explored as a means of detecting changes in the refractive index of rocks and dust on the surface of atmosphereless planets and satellites. Far-ultraviolet spectrophotometric measurements of the lunar surface, which were obtained on the Apollo 17 orbital mission, are presented to demonstrate that significant albedo variations occur in the spectral range 120 to 170 nm. These data also confirm the hypothesis that the albedo variations represent refractive-index differences in the surface materials. A three-band photometer is described which, when put in orbit around a solar system object, is capable of providing refractive-index maps with a sensitivity of one part in the second decimal place and with kilometer resolution. Comparative surface-composition and surface-history analyses based on such maps are discussed.

Henry, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The development of methods for the prediction of primary creep behavior in metals

The applicability of a thermodynamic constitutive theory of deformation to the prediction of primary creep and creep strain relaxation behavior in metals is examined. Constitutive equations derived from the theory are subjected to a parametric analysis in order to determine the influence of several parameters on the curve forms generated by the equations. A computer program is developed which enables the solution of a generalized constitutive equation using experimental data as input. Several metals were tested to form a data base of primary creep and relaxation behavior. The extent to which these materials conformed to the constitutive equation showed wide variability, with the alloy Ti-6Al-4V exhibiting the most consistent results. Accordingly, most of the analysis is concentrated upon data from that alloy, although creep and relaxation data from all the materials tested are presented. Experimental methods are outlined as well as some variations in methods of analysis. Various theoretical and practical implications of the work are discussed.

Zerwekh, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1930

Experimental and Analytical Determination of the Motion of Hydraulically Operated Valve Stems in Oil Engine Injection Systems

This research on the pressure variations in the injection system of the N.A.C.A. Spray Photography Equipment and on the effects of these variations on the motion of the timing valve stem was undertaken in connection with the study of fuel injection systems for high-speed oil engines. The methods of analysis of the pressure variations and the general equation for the motion of the spring-loaded stem for the timing valve are applicable to a spring-loaded automatic injection valve, and in general to all hydraulically operated valves. A sample calculation for a spring-loaded automatic injection valve is included.

Gelalles, A G↗
NASA NTRS1992

Composite laminates with spatially varying fiber orientations - 'Variable stiffness panel concept'

A solution has been obtained to the plane elasticity problem for a symmetrically laminated composite panel with spatially varying fiber orientations. Since variation of the fiber angles along the length of a composite laminate results in stiffness properties that change as a function of location, the laminates are called variable stiffness panels. An analysis of the stiffness variation and its effect on the elastic response of the panel is presented here. A numerical solution has been obtained using an iterative collocation technique. Corresponding closed-form solutions are given for three different sets of boundary conditions. Two of the cases considered have exact solutions and thus serve to validate the numerical model.

Guerdal, Zafer↗
NASA NTRS1998

Seasonal Ozone Variations in the Isentropic Layer between 330 and 380 K as Observed by SAGE 2: Implications of Extratropical Cross-Tropopause Transport

To provide observational evidence on the extratropical cross-tropopause transport between the stratosphere and the troposphere via quasi-isentropic processes in the middleworld (the part of the atmosphere in which the isentropic surfaces intersect the tropopause), this report presents an analysis of the seasonal variations of the ozone latitudinal distribution in the isentropic layer between 330 K and 380 K based on the measurements from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II. The results from SAGE II data analysis are consistent with (1) the buildup of ozone-rich air in the extratropical middleworld through the large-scale descending mass circulation during winter, (2) the spread of ozone-rich air in the isentropic layer from midlatitudes to subtropics via quasi-isentropic transport during spring, (3) significant photochemical ozone removal and the absence of an ozone-rich supply of air to the layer during summer, and (4) air mass exchange between the subtropics and the extratropics during the summer monsoon period. Thus the SAGE II observed ozone seasonal variations in the middleworld are consistent with the existing model calculated annual cycle of the diabatic circulation as well as the conceptual role of the eddy quasi-adiabatic transport in the stratosphere-troposphere exchange reported in the literature.

Wang, Pi-Huan↗
NASA NTRS1985

Seasonal variation of the stratospheric circulation

An extensive analysis is made of the extratropical stratospheric circulation in terms of the seasonal variation of large-scale motion fields, with the aid of height and temperature data obtained from the TIROS satellite. Special attention is paid to a comparison of climatological aspects between the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and the Southern Hemisphere (SH). In order to see the general picture of the annual mach of the upper stratosphere, the zonal mean values of geopotential height of the 1 mb level at 70 deg N and 70 deg S were plotted on the daily basis throughout a year. It is observed that, during the winter, the zonal mean 1 mb height in the NH is much more variable than that in the SH. It is also notable that the SH height is rather oscillatory throughout the longer period from midwinter to early summer. Since the zonal mean height in the polar latitude is a rough measure of the mean zonal flow in extratropical latitudes, the difference of the seasonal variation between the two hemispheres mentioned above is considered to be due mainly to the planetary wave-mean flow interaction in the middle atmosphere. The wave activity in the middle atmosphere is represented more rigorously by the Eliassen-Palm flux associated with vertically propagating planetary waves forced from below. The day-to-day variation of the EP flux in the upper stratosphere shows that the wave activity varies intermittently with a characteristic time scale of about two weeks.

Hirota, I.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Atomic oxygen in the Martian thermosphere

The Mariner 9 Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS) made extensive observations of air-glow emissions from the thermosphere of Mars throughout the nominal mission (November 1971 - February 1972), during late summer in the southern hemisphere. Limb and disc measurements of the 130 nm triplet emission from thermospheric atomic oxygen were modelled by Strickland et al. Recently, the thermospheric general circulation models (TGCMs) developed for the Earth and Venus have been applied to Mars; we refer to it as the MTGCM. Our analysis shows that the oxygen mixing ratio is the fundamental unknown controlling the 130 nm brightness. Our radiative transport calculation shows that the emergent intensity at 130 nm is not very sensitive to variations in thermospheric temperature. The pattern of diurnal variation derived from our analysis is roughly the same as Strickland et al. although with somewhat lower values for the O mixing ratio. The main reasons for this difference are the more important role played by the photoelectron source in our model, and the somewhat larger 130 nm solar flux; thus, we require less oxygen to match the observed brightnesses. Strickland et al. also found that the OI 130 nm emission on Mars is correlated with solar activity. We find that the correlation is virtually non-existent during the early orbits when the planet was covered with a thick global dust storm, but later orbits, during the clearing of the storm, show a persistent correlation.

Stewart, A. I. F.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Agricultural Burning and Air Quality over Northern India: A Synergistic Analysis Using NASA's A-Train Satellite Data and Ground Measurements

In the recent years, New Delhi, the capital city of India, has ranked among the most polluted cities in the world regarding its air quality related to the submicron Particulate Matter (PM(sub 2.5)). Using NASA's A-train satellite data (MODIS, OMI, and CALIOP), ground-level PM2.5 measured in New Delhi (2013-2016), and back-trajectory calculations, we show that the PM(sub 2.5). over New Delhi is strongly affected by the agricultural fires in the northwestern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana during the post-monsoon season (October and November). The mass concentration of PM2.5 escalates from ~50 μg m(exp -3) measured prior to the onset of residue burning in early October to as high as 300 μg m(exp -3) (24-hour averaged, 7- day running mean) during the peak burning period in early November. A linear regression analysis reveals that the variations in PM(sub 2.5) over New Delhi can be attributed to the concurrent changes in the satellite retrievals of fire counts and aerosols over the crop burning area. The back-trajectory analysis shows that most clusters (> 80%) of the northwesterly flow near the ground intercepted the crop burning region before arriving at the receptor location in New Delhi; this further corroborates the transport patterns inferred from the satellite data. A 15-year long satellite record (2002-2016) reveals an increasing trend in agricultural fires (~617 per year) and aerosol loading (0.031 and 0.04 per year in aerosol optical depth and UV aerosol index) in November. Increasing levels of crop residue burning and resulting particulate matter pollution at an alarming rate over northern India is a pressing concern demanding corrective measures to substantially reduce or completely diminish the crop burning through an effective residue management system.

Crop Residue Fires↗
NASA NTRS1981

The effect of minority carrier mobility variations on solar cell spectral response

Analysis of multistep diffused, high voltage 0.1 ohm-cm solar cells suggests that the increased voltage capability of these cells is correlated with localized variations in the base minority carrier mobility. An attempt to calculate the behavior of those cells revealed unexpected results. It is shown, contrary to what was expected, that spatial variations in the mobility effects severe changes in the short-circuit current and the spectral response. Variations in cell output as a result of imposing abrupt, linear, and exponential mobility variations are presented.

Weizer, V. G.↗