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At least 397 records · Page 22

CFD Simulations of Landing and Takeoff CRM High-Lift Configurations

Numerical simulations have been performed for a conventional high-lift version of the Common Research Model (CRM) model corresponding to landing and take- off configurations. Computed values of lift and drag for the landing configuration are compared with the experimental data acquired in the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel (14×22) at the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). Simulations replicated the experimentally observed improvements in the lift characteristics in the presence of a nacelle chine. Flow visualization images indicate that vortices generated by the nacelle chine reduce flow separation regions on the upper surface of the wing at higher angles of attack. Based on such observations, the take-off configuration considered is also equipped with a nacelle chine, and testing of this configuration is planned in the 14×22 tunnel in near future. Preliminary solutions are also presented to explore the feasibility of using a localized flap gap blowing (LFGB) active flow control concept for improving the aerodynamic performance at take-off conditions.

aerodynamics↗

CFD Simulations of Landing and Takeoff CRM High-Lift Configurations

Numerical simulations have been performed for a conventional high-lift version of the Common Research Model (CRM) model corresponding to landing and take- off configurations. Computed values of lift and drag for the landing configuration are compared with the experimental data acquired in the 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel (14×22) at the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). Simulations replicated the experimentally observed improvements in the lift characteristics in the presence of a nacelle chine. Flow visualization images indicate that vortices generated by the nacelle chine reduce flow separation regions on the upper surface of the wing at higher angles of attack. Based on such observations, the take-off configuration considered is also equipped with a nacelle chine, and testing of this configuration is planned in the 14×22 tunnel in near future. Preliminary solutions are also presented to explore the feasibility of using a localized flap gap blowing (LFGB) active flow control concept for improving the aerodynamic performance at take-off conditions.

aerodynamics↗

DEVELOP: Building Capacity in Early Career Individuals to Apply NASA Earth Observations in Health and Air Quality

The NASA DEVELOP National Program builds capacity to use and apply NASA Earth observations to address environmental concerns around the globe. The DEVELOP model builds capacity in both participants (students, recent graduates, and early and transitioning career professionals), who conduct the projects, and partners (decision and policy makers), who are recipients of project methodologies and results. While projects focus on a spectrum of thematic topics, health and air quality related topics made up more than a quarter of DEVELOP’s FY2023 project portfolio. These projects worked in collaboration with over 30 partner organizations throughout the US and internationally to explore how Earth observations could support decision making in areas such as health and air quality, wildland fires, climate, urban development, and transportation and infrastructure. This presentation provides an overview of the DEVELOP model of building capacity to use Earth observation data, environmental decision-making needs identified in health and air quality relevant projects, DEVELOP project case studies, commonly utilized data sources, and lessons learned. Key takeaways include best practices for project development and execution, how to balance learning with delivering impactful results for partners, and water resource relevant decisions guided by project end products.

Remote sensing↗

Comparison of Satellite Rainfall Estimates and Rain Gauge Measurements in Italy, and Impact on Landslide Modeling

Landslides can be triggered by intense or prolonged rainfall. Rain gauge measurements are commonly used to predict landslides even if satellite rainfall estimates are available. Recent research focuses on the comparison of satellite estimates and gauge measurements. The rain gauge data from the Italian network (collected in the system database Verifica Rischio Frana" (VRF)) are compared with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) products. For the purpose, we couple point gauge and satellite rainfall estimates at individual grid cells, evaluating the correlation between gauge and satellite data in different morpho-climatological conditions. We then analyze the statistical distributions of both rainfall data types and the rainfall events derived from them. Results show that satellite data underestimates ground data, with the largest differences in mountainous areas. Power-law models, are more appropriate to correlate gauge and satellite data. The gauge and satellite-based products exhibit different statistical distributions and the rainfall events derived from them differ. In conclusion, satellite rainfall cannot be directly compared with ground data, requiring local investigation to account for specific morpho-climatological settings. Results suggest that satellite data can be used for forecasting landslides, only performing a local scaling between satellite and ground data.

landslide; satellite rainfall; TRMM; rain gauges; ↗

Time domain identification of element matrices

Accurate mathematical models are clearly an important part of the design, modification, control, and damage assessment of large space structures. A critical part of model determination of any type of structure is the use of system identification (SI), a process for using measured excitation and response data to improve the form of a mathematical model or the values of the parameters in it. The reasons for using SI are manifold, but most of them involve uncertainties in either the form of or the parameters in the mathematical model. Some of the more common uncertainties are the following: the nature of the damping, the characteristics of sloppy or sticky joints, inelastic material properties, and parameters in a reduced Degree-of-Freedom (DOF) model. This paper contains a description of the SI algorithm followed by two illustrations: one in which all parameters in a shear building model are determined using pull back and quick release data, and another in which an equivalent reduced DOF model is obtained for a two story frame.

Matzen, Vernon C.↗

Analytic modeling of aerosol size distributions

Mathematical functions commonly used for representing aerosol size distributions are studied parametrically. Methods for obtaining best fit estimates of the parameters are described. A catalog of graphical plots depicting the parametric behavior of the functions is presented along with procedures for obtaining analytical representations of size distribution data by visual matching of the data with one of the plots. Examples of fitting the same data with equal accuracy by more than one analytic model are also given.

Deepack, A.↗

Stewardship of NASA's Earth Science Data and Ensuring Long-Term Active Archives

Program, NASA has followed an open data policy, with non-discriminatory access to data with no period of exclusive access. NASA has well-established processes for assigning and or accepting datasets into one of 12 Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) that are parts of EOSDIS. EOSDIS has been evolving through several information technology cycles, adapting to hardware and software changes in the commercial sector. NASA is responsible for maintaining Earth science data as long as users are interested in using them for research and applications, which is well beyond the life of the data gathering missions. For science data to remain useful over long periods of time, steps must be taken to preserve: (1) Data bits with no corruption, (2) Discoverability and access, (3) Readability, (4) Understandability, (5) Usability' and (6). Reproducibility of results. NASAs Earth Science data and Information System (ESDIS) Project, along with the 12 EOSDIS Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs), has made significant progress in each of these areas over the last decade, and continues to evolve its active archive capabilities. Particular attention is being paid in recent years to ensure that the datasets are published in an easily accessible and citable manner through a unified metadata model, a common metadata repository (CMR), a coherent view through the earthdata.gov website, and assignment of Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) with well-designed landing product information pages.

Data Management↗

Faults Discovery By Using Mined Data

Fault discovery in the complex systems consist of model based reasoning, fault tree analysis, rule based inference methods, and other approaches. Model based reasoning builds models for the systems either by mathematic formulations or by experiment model. Fault Tree Analysis shows the possible causes of a system malfunction by enumerating the suspect components and their respective failure modes that may have induced the problem. The rule based inference build the model based on the expert knowledge. Those models and methods have one thing in common; they have presumed some prior-conditions. Complex systems often use fault trees to analyze the faults. Fault diagnosis, when error occurs, is performed by engineers and analysts performing extensive examination of all data gathered during the mission. International Space Station (ISS) control center operates on the data feedback from the system and decisions are made based on threshold values by using fault trees. Since those decision-making tasks are safety critical and must be done promptly, the engineers who manually analyze the data are facing time challenge. To automate this process, this paper present an approach that uses decision trees to discover fault from data in real-time and capture the contents of fault trees as the initial state of the trees.

Lee, Charles↗

Characterization of Collection Efficiency of the Common Research Model Midspan Wing Section in the IRT

This paper presents a preliminary study for the characterization of collection efficiency from icing tests conducted in the Icing Research Tunnel at NASA Glenn Research Center. A test method previously developed for measuring the attachment line maximum collection efficiency of a swept NACA 0012 airfoil model at zero angle of attack was applied to the leading-edge region of a 65%-scale version of the Common Research Model midspan wing section. A correlation for the stagnation line maximum collection efficiency as a function of the modified inertia parameter was obtained with LEWICE3D simulations utilizing a discrete number of drop diameters. It was then compared with the collection efficiency measurement data obtained in the IRT. For the experimental collection efficiency, two ice shape digitization procedures were utilized to extract 2-D chord-wise ice shape profiles, i.e., the Maximum Combined Cross Section or MCCS, and the Minimum Combined Cross Section or Min CCS, at selected span-wise locations from the 3-D scanned ice shapes. The preliminary result showed that the rime ice thickness method can be used to characterize the collection efficiency distribution, for conditions free of ice erosion, in the main ice shape region. However, a high-order statistical processing of the ice scan is needed for estimating the mean ice thickness in areas where feathers are prevalent. From the limited comparison of the experimental and LEWICE3D collection efficiency data in the CRM65 MS model leading edge area, it was shown that the attachment line maximum collection efficiency is reasonably estimated by the best curve-fit correlation in the range of modified inertia parameter tested. A tighter alignment control of the iced and cold clean model scans is needed to improve the comparison. Further evaluation of this correlation is recommended to assess its applicability for Common Research Model type swept wing icing scaling analysis.

Ice Scailing↗

Common Practice Lightning Strike Protection Characterization Technique to Quantify Damage Mechanisms on Composite Substrates

To support FAA certification airworthiness standards, composite substrates are subjected to lightning direct-effect electrical waveforms to determine performance characteristics of the lightning strike protection (LSP) conductive layers used to protect composite substrates. Test results collected from independent LSP studies are often incomparable due to variability in test procedures & applied practices at different organizations, which impairs performance correlations between different LSP data sets. Under a NASA supported contract, The Boeing Company developed technical procedures and documentation as guidance in order to facilitate a test method for conducting universal common practice lightning strike protection test procedures. The procedures obtain conformity in future lightning strike protection evaluations to allow meaningful performance correlations across data sets. This universal common practice guidance provides the manufacturing specifications to fabricate carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) test panels, including finish, grounding configuration, and acceptable methods for pretest nondestructive inspection (NDI) and posttest destructive inspection. The test operations guidance elaborates on the provisions contained in SAE ARP5416 to address inconsistencies in the generation of damage protection performance data, so as to provide for maximum achievable correlation across capable lab facilities. In addition, the guidance details a direct effects test bed design to aid in quantification of the multi-physical phenomena surrounding a lightning direct attachment supporting validation data requirements for the development of predictive computational modeling. The lightning test bed is designed to accommodate a repeatable installation procedure to secure the test panel and eliminate test installation uncertainty. It also facilitates a means to capture the electrical waveform parameters in 2 dimensions, along with the mechanical displacement and thermal heating parameters which occur during lightning attachment. Following guidance defined in the universal common practice LSP test documents, protected and unprotected CFRP panels were evaluated at 20, 40 and 100KAmps. This report presents analyzed data demonstrating the scientific usefulness of the common practice approach. Descriptions of the common practice CFRP test articles, LSP test bed fixture, and monitoring techniques to capture the electrical, mechanical and thermal parameters during lightning attachment are presented here. Two methods of measuring the electrical currents were evaluated, inductive current probes and a newly developed fiberoptic sensor. Two mechanical displacement methods were also examined, optical laser measurement sensors and a digital imaging correlation camera system. Recommendations are provided to help users implement the common practice test approach and obtain LSP test characterizations comparable across data sets.

Szatkowski, George N.↗

Determining Kinetic Parameters for Isothermal Crystallization of Glasses

Non-isothermal crystallization techniques are frequently used to determine the kinetic parameters for crystallization in glasses. These techniques are experimentally simple and quick compared to the isothermal techniques. However, the analytical models used for non-isothermal data analysis, originally developed for describing isothermal transformation kinetics, are fundamentally flawed. The present paper describes a technique for determining the kinetic parameters for isothermal crystallization in glasses, which eliminates most of the common problems that generally make the studies of isothermal crystallization laborious and time consuming. In this technique, the volume fraction of glass that is crystallized as a function of time during an isothermal hold was determined using differential thermal analysis (DTA). The crystallization parameters for the lithium-disilicate (Li2O.2SiO2) model glass were first determined and compared to the same parameters determined by other techniques to establish the accuracy and usefulness of the present technique. This technique was then used to describe the crystallization kinetics of a complex Ca-Sr-Zn-silicate glass developed for sealing solid oxide fuel cells.

Ray, C. S.↗

Transfer-AE: A novel autoencoder-based impact detection model for structural digital twin

Accurately detecting the location and intensity of impacts is crucial for ensuring structural safety. Currently, AI-based structural impact detection methods are widely used for their excellent detection accuracy. However, their generalization capability is limited by the scenarios present in the training data. Many complex and dangerous impact scenarios are difficult to conduct real-world experiments on to collect sufficient samples. To capture all impact scenarios and fully leverage the advantages of AI-based detection technologies, advanced methods involve combining real-world structural monitoring data with corresponding numerical models to construct digital twins. These methods continuously refine the created numerical models with limited real-world data and provide diverse impact scenarios through numerical model simulations. However, there are inevitable differences between digital models and physical models that are challenging to correct through mechanical means. This discrepancy in data distribution between the two models significantly hinders the application of digital twin technology in impact/event identification tasks. To address this challenge, this study proposes a novel model based on autoencoders, named Transfer-AE. Transfer-AE encodes the common features of digital twins in the latent space to bridge the uncertainty gap at a macro scale between numerical models and physical models and synchronously fits the magnitude and location of the impact load in the decoder. This enables consistent detection results for the same impact event, whether the sample comes from the numerical model or the physical model. Transfer-AE includes two operating modes: Mode 1 has a fixed computational complexity with stable inference speed, but the training cost and difficulty increase with data distribution. Mode 2's computational complexity increases with data distribution, but it has a fixed training cost and speed. In both cases involving the geodesic dome structure simulating a deep space habitat and the IASC-ASCE benchmark structure, Transfer-AE demonstrated the best performance in impact localization and quantification tasks compared to mainstream domain-adaptive transfer models.

Chengjia Han↗

Cleanroom certification model

The Cleanroom software development methodology is designed to take the gamble out of product releases for both suppliers and receivers of the software. The ingredients of this procedure are a life cycle of executable product increments, representative statistical testing, and a standard estimate of the MTTF (Mean Time To Failure) of the product at the time of its release. A statistical approach to software product testing using randomly selected samples of test cases is considered. A statistical model is defined for the certification process which uses the timing data recorded during test. A reasonableness argument for this model is provided that uses previously published data on software product execution. Also included is a derivation of the certification model estimators and a comparison of the proposed least squares technique with the more commonly used maximum likelihood estimators.

Currit, P. A.↗

Solar cycle variations of the electron densities near the ionospheric peak of Venus

Photochemical equilibrium calculations of electron and ion densities, appropriate for altitudes below about 180 km, were carried out for the Venus dayside ionosphere corresponding to solar cycle maximum and minimum conditions. The results were compared with data from radio occultation measurements. The agreement between the calculations and measurements was, in general, quite good. These comparisons indicate that the most commonly used neutral atmosphere model of Venus (Hedin et al., 1983) predicts densities which are somewhat low near the electron density peak for solar cycle maximum, but provides surprisingly good predictions for solar cycle minimum conditions.

Kim, J.↗

Surface Temperature Assimilation in the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS)

The Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) is a global land parameterization that uses prescribed meteorology as forcing in order to determine regular gridded land surface states (temperature and moisture) and other properties (e.g. water and heat fluxes). In the present experiment, the assimilation of surface skin temperature is incorporated into the land parameterizations. The meteorological forcing was derived from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-3) Data Assimilation System (DAS) for the full year of 1998 GLDAS can use several land parameterizations, but here we use the Mosaic land surface model and the Common Land Model (CLM). TOVS surface temperature observations are assimilated into GLDAS. The TOVS observations are less frequent that observations used in previous experiments (ISCCP). The purpose of this presentation is to evaluate the impact of the TOVS assimilation on both Mosaic and CLM. We will especially consider the impact of coarse temporal observations on the assimilation and bias correction.

Bosilovich, Michael G.↗

Usefulness of AIRS-Derived OLR, Temperature, Water Vapor and Cloudiness Anomaly Trends for GCM Validation

Mainly due to their global nature, satellite observations can provide a very useful basis for GCM validations. In particular, satellite sounders such as AIRS provide 3-D spatial information (most useful for GCMs), so the question arises: can we use AIRS datasets for climate variability assessments? We show that the recent (September 2002 February 2010) CERES-observed negative trend in OLR of approx.-0.1 W/sq m/yr averaged over the globe is found in the AIRS OLR data as well. Most importantly, even minute details (down to 1 x 1 degree GCM-scale resolution) of spatial and temporal anomalies and trends of OLR as observed by CERES and computed based on AIRS-retrieved surface and atmospheric geophysical parameters over this time period are essentially the same. The correspondence can be seen even in the very large spatial variations of these trends with local values ranging from -2.6 W/sq m/yr to +3.0 W/sq m/yr in the tropics, for example. This essentially perfect agreement of OLR anomalies and trends derived from observations by two different instruments, in totally independent and different manners, implies that both sets of results must be highly accurate, and indirectly validates the anomalies and trends of other AIRS derived products as well. These products show that global and regional anomalies and trends of OLR, water vapor and cloud cover over the last 7+ years are strongly influenced by EI-Nino-La Nina cycles . We have created climate parameter anomaly datasets using AIRS retrievals which can be compared directly with coupled GCM climate variability assessments. Moreover, interrelationships of these anomalies and trends should also be similar between the observed and GCM-generated datasets, and, in cases of discrepancies, GCM parameterizations could be improved based on the relationships observed in the data. First, we assess spatial "trends" of variability of climatic parameter anomalies [since anomalies relative to the seasonal cycle are good proxies of climate variability] at the common 1x1 degree GCM grid-scale by creating spatial anomaly "trends" based on the first 7+ years of AIRS Version 5 Leve13 data. We suggest that modelers should compare these with their (coupled) GCM's performance covering the same period. We evaluate temporal variability and interrelations of climatic anomalies on global to regional e.g., deep Tropical Hovmoller diagrams, El-Nino-related variability scales, and show the effects of El-Nino-La Nina activity on tropical anomalies and trends of water vapor cloud cover and OLR. For GCMs to be trusted highly for long-term climate change predictions, they should be able to reproduce findings similar to these. In summary, the AIRS-based climate variability analyses provide high quality, informative and physically plausible interrelationships among OLR, temperature, humidity and cloud cover both on the spatial and temporal scales. GCM validations can use these results even directly, e. g., by creating 1x1 degree trendmaps for the same period in coupled climate simulations.

Molnar, Gyula I.↗

A Process for the Creation of T-MATS Propulsion System Models from NPSS Data

A modular thermodynamic simulation package called the Toolbox for the Modeling and Analysis of Thermodynamic Systems (T-MATS) has been developed for the creation of dynamic simulations. The T-MATS software is designed as a plug-in for Simulink(Trademark) and allows a developer to create system simulations of thermodynamic plants (such as gas turbines) and controllers in a single tool. Creation of such simulations can be accomplished by matching data from actual systems, or by matching data from steady state models and inserting appropriate dynamics, such as the rotor and actuator dynamics for an aircraft engine. This paper summarizes the process for creating T-MATS turbo-machinery simulations using data and input files obtained from a steady state model created in the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS). The NPSS is a thermodynamic simulation environment that is commonly used for steady state gas turbine performance analysis. Completion of all the steps involved in the process results in a good match between T-MATS and NPSS at several steady state operating points. Additionally, the T-MATS model extended to run dynamically provides the possibility of simulating and evaluating closed loop responses.

gas path dynamics↗

A Process for the Creation of T-MATS Propulsion System Models from NPSS Data

A modular thermodynamic simulation package called the Toolbox for the Modeling and Analysis of Thermodynamic Systems (T-MATS) has been developed for the creation of dynamic simulations. The T-MATS software is designed as a plug-in for Simulink(Registered TradeMark) and allows a developer to create system simulations of thermodynamic plants (such as gas turbines) and controllers in a single tool. Creation of such simulations can be accomplished by matching data from actual systems, or by matching data from steady state models and inserting appropriate dynamics, such as the rotor and actuator dynamics for an aircraft engine. This paper summarizes the process for creating T-MATS turbo-machinery simulations using data and input files obtained from a steady state model created in the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS). The NPSS is a thermodynamic simulation environment that is commonly used for steady state gas turbine performance analysis. Completion of all the steps involved in the process results in a good match between T-MATS and NPSS at several steady state operating points. Additionally, the T-MATS model extended to run dynamically provides the possibility of simulating and evaluating closed loop responses.

gas path dynamics↗