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At least 397 records · Page 22

Measurements of diffusion limited solidification at varying gravity

The environment of the NASA KC-135 low gravity aircraft was employed to examine the effects of g-jitter on the growth of a solidification diffusion layer for 28 wt pct NH4Cl-H2O, a metal alloy model material. The hypothesis that jitter (vibrational) effects account for previously observed low gravity growth anomalies was investigated by comparing optical data (central dark ground method) for 10-squared g(e) (earth's gravity) KC-135 growth conditions and 1 g(e) laboratory conditions. Accelerometer data obtained during the flight program showed the KC-135 low gravity environment to have extreme levels of jitters.

Mccay, T. D.↗

Advances and trends in computational structures technology

The major goals of computational structures technology (CST) are outlined, and recent advances in CST are examined. These include computational material modeling, stochastic-based modeling, computational methods for articulated structural dynamics, strategies and numerical algorithms for new computing systems, multidisciplinary analysis and optimization. The role of CST in the future development of structures technology and the multidisciplinary design of future flight vehicles is addressed, and the future directions of CST research in the prediction of failures of structural components, the solution of large-scale structural problems, and quality assessment and control of numerical simulations are discussed.

Noor, A. K.↗

Observations of forbidden Si II (35 microns) and Si I (25 microns) in Orion - Evidence of a wind shock near IRc2

Forbidden Si II and Si I line emission from Orion's BN-KL was measured using a cryogenic grating spectrometer aboard NASA's Kuiper Airborne Observatory. It is believed that the bulk of the forbidden Si II emission in Orion originates in photodissociated gas at the interface between the H II region and its parent molecular cloud. There is, however, a twofold enhancement in forbidden Si II emission near IRc2, which is attributed to fast dissociative J-shock where the wind from IRc2 impact slower moving material. Model fits suggest a silicon gas-phase depletion near ITc2 of 0.3-1.0 relative to solar. The spatial distribution of the forbidden Si II emission has a centralized peak.

Haas, Michael R.↗

Probability of brittle failure

A methodology was developed for collecting statistically representative data for crack initiation and arrest from small number of test specimens. An epoxy (based on bisphenol A diglycidyl ether and polyglycol extended diglycyl ether and cured with diethylene triamine) is selected as a model material. A compact tension specimen with displacement controlled loading is used to observe multiple crack initiation and arrests. The energy release rate at crack initiation is significantly higher than that at a crack arrest, as has been observed elsewhere. The difference between these energy release rates is found to depend on specimen size (scale effect), and is quantitatively related to the fracture surface morphology. The scale effect, similar to that in statistical strength theory, is usually attributed to the statistics of defects which control the fracture process. Triangular shaped ripples (deltoids) are formed on the fracture surface during the slow subcritical crack growth, prior to the smooth mirror-like surface characteristic of fast cracks. The deltoids are complementary on the two crack faces which excludes any inelastic deformation from consideration. Presence of defects is also suggested by the observed scale effect. However, there are no defects at the deltoid apexes detectable down to the 0.1 micron level.

Kim, A.↗

Overview of mechanics of materials branch activities in the computational structures area

Base programs and system programs are discussed. The base programs include fundamental research of composites and metals for airframes leading to characterization of advanced materials, models of behavior, and methods for predicting damage tolerance. Results from the base programs support the systems programs, which change as NASA's missions change. The National Aerospace Plane (NASP), Advanced Composites Technology (ACT), Airframe Structural Integrity Program (Aging Aircraft), and High Speed Research (HSR) programs are currently being supported. Airframe durability is one of the key issues in each of these system programs. The base program has four major thrusts, which will be reviewed subsequently. Additionally, several technical highlights will be reviewed for each thrust.

Poe, C. C., Jr.↗

Geometrically nonlinear analysis of laminated elastic structures

This final technical report contains three parts: Part 1 deals with the 2-D shell theory and its element formulation and applications. Part 2 deals with the 3-D degenerated element. These two parts constitute the two major tasks that were completed under the grant. Another related topic that was initiated during the present investigation is the development of a nonlinear material model. This topic is briefly discussed in Part 3. To make each part self-contained, conclusions and references are included in each part. In the interest of brevity, the discussions presented are relatively brief. The details and additional topics are described in the references cited.

Reddy, J. N.↗

Direct tension experiments on compacted granular materials

The objective of this experiment is to determine the level of tensile strength of uncemented, dry, granular materials. The experimental apparatus does not lend itself to a direct measurement of the material's tensile strength, but must be analyzed as a stress field problem in order to arrive at a tensile strength value. The experiment, and subsequent analysis, serve to instruct the student on the influence of gravitationally induced stresses in frictional granular materials, the importance and difficulty of accurately describing the entire failure envelope for granular materials in the low mean stress range, and the fundamental principles of material modeling.

Perkins, Steven W.↗

Thermo-elastoviscoplastic snapthrough behavior of cylindrical panels

The thermo-elastoviscoplastic snapthrough behavior of simply supported cylindrical panels is investigated. The analysis is based on nonlinear kinematic relations and nonlinear rate-dependent unified constitutive equations which include both Bodner-Partom's and Walker's material models. A finite element approach is employed to predict the inelastic buckling behavior. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effects of several parameters which include the temperature, thickness and flatness of the panel. Comparisons of buckling responses between Bodner-Partom's model and Walker's model are given. The creep buckling behavior, as an example of time-dependent inelastic deformation, is also presented.

Song, Y.↗

Prediction of dislocation generation during Bridgman growth of GaAs crystals

Dislocation densities are generated in GaAs single crystals due to the excessive thermal stresses induced by temperature variations during growth. A viscoplastic material model for GaAs, which takes into account the movement and multiplication of dislocations in the plastic deformation, is developed according to Haasen's theory. The dislocation density is expressed as an internal state variable in this dynamic viscoplastic model. The deformation process is a nonlinear function of stress, strain rate, dislocation density and temperature. The dislocation density in the GaAs crystal during vertical Bridgman growth is calculated using a nonlinear finite element model. The dislocation multiplication in GaAs crystals for several temperature fields obtained from thermal modeling of both the GTE GaAs experimental data and artificially designed data are investigated.

Tsai, C. T.↗

Computational technology for high-temperature aerospace structures

The status and some recent developments of computational technology for high-temperature aerospace structures are summarized. Discussion focuses on a number of aspects including: goals of computational technology for high-temperature structures; computational material modeling; life prediction methodology; computational modeling of high-temperature composites; error estimation and adaptive improvement strategies; strategies for solution of fluid flow/thermal/structural problems; and probabilistic methods and stochastic modeling approaches, integrated analysis and design. Recent trends in high-performance computing environment are described and the research areas which have high potential for meeting future technological needs are identified.

Noor, A. K.↗

Scientific basis for the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment - A USMP-2 space flight experiment

NASA has planned three flight experiments, designated as the Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment (IDGE), to be performed on three of the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP) flights. IDGE is designed to provide microgravity data on dendritic growth for a critical test of theory. Terrestrial gravity, g sub 0, and the associated phenomenon of buoyancy driven convection, prevent a truly quantitative test of pure, diffusocapillary dendritic growth theory. However, recent theoretical analysis provides a fluid mechanics framework for estimating the effects of reduced gravity on the dendritic solidification of pure succinonitrile (SCN), the model material selected for the first IDGE flight. The results (dendritic tip radii and velocities) of the recent fully integrated ground-based tests on the IDGE prototype engineering hardware is in general agreement with the 'historical' ground based data for SCN. At undercoolings of 0.5 K or less, a microgravity environment of approximately 10 exp -3 g sub 0 or lower would have a significant difference from the g sub 0 dendritic growth of SCN.

Glicksman, M. E.↗

Nonlinear and progressive failure aspects of transport composite fuselage damage tolerance

The purpose is to provide an end-user's perspective on the state of the art in life prediction and failure analysis by focusing on subsonic transport fuselage issues being addressed in the NASA/Boeing Advanced Technology Composite Aircraft Structure (ATCAS) contract and a related task-order contract. First, some discrepancies between the ATCAS tension-fracture test database and classical prediction methods is discussed, followed by an overview of material modeling work aimed at explaining some of these discrepancies. Finally, analysis efforts associated with a pressure-box test fixture are addressed, as an illustration of modeling complexities required to model and interpret tests.

Walker, Tom↗

Out of plane gradients in laminated composites

The research under this grant focused on three different, but related, research projects. All three projects were concerned with predicting the interlaminar stresses that develop in laminated composites in the presence of free edges. The first project was dedicated to the development of a new semi-analytical approximate solution for predicting interlaminar stresses. The second project was devoted to a study of the influence of boundary conditions, geometric parameters, and material modelling on interlaminar stresses in stiffened composite panels. The third project was dedicated to the development of a new finite element for efficient analysis of interlaminar stresses in curved, stiffened panels. A summary of each of the projects is given.

Herakovich, Carl T.↗

Correlation of analytical and experimental hot structure vibration results

High surface temperatures and temperature gradients can affect the vibratory characteristics and stability of aircraft structures. Aircraft designers are relying more on finite-element model analysis methods to ensure sufficient vehicle structural dynamic stability throughout the desired flight envelope. Analysis codes that predict these thermal effects must be correlated and verified with experimental data. Experimental modal data for aluminum, titanium, and fiberglass plates heated at uniform, nonuniform, and transient heating conditions are presented. The data show the effect of heat on each plate's modal characteristics, a comparison of predicted and measured plate vibration frequencies, the measured modal damping, and the effect of modeling material property changes and thermal stresses on the accuracy of the analytical results at nonuniform and transient heating conditions.

Kehoe, Michael W.↗

External Device to Incrementally Skid the Habitat (E-DISH)

A Mars habitat transport system was designed as part of the NASA Mars exploration program. The transport system, the External Device to Incrementally Skid the Habitat (E - DISH), will be used to transport Mars habitats from their landing sites to the colony base and will be detached after unloading. The system requirements for Mars were calculated and scaled for model purposes. Specific model materials are commonly found and recommendations for materials for the Mars design are included.

Brazell, J. W.↗

Sensitivity analysis for the dynamic response of thermoviscoplastic shells of revolution

A computational procedure is presented for evaluating the sensitivity coefficients of the dynamic axisymmetric, fully-coupled, thermoviscoplastic response of shells of revolution. The analytical formulation is based on Reissner's large deformation shell theory with the effects of large-strain, transverse shear deformation, rotatory inertia and moments turning around the normal to the middle surface included. The material model is chosen to be viscoplasticity with strain hardening and thermal hardening, and an associated flow rule is used with a von Mises effective stress. A mixed formulation is used for the shell equations with the fundamental unknowns consisting of six stress resultants, three generalized displacements and three velocity components. The energy-balance equation is solved using a Galerkin procedure, with the temperature as the fundamental unknown. Spatial discretization is performed in one dimension (meridional direction) for the momentum and constitutive equations of the shell, and in two dimensions (meridional and thickness directions) for the energy-balance equation. The temporal integration is performed by using an explicit central difference scheme (leap-frog method) for the momentum equation; a predictor-corrector version of the trapezoidal rule is used for the energy-balance equation; and an explicit scheme consistent with the central difference method is used to integrate the constitutive equations. The sensitivity coefficients are evaluated by using a direct differentiation approach. Numerical results are presented for a spherical cap subjected to step loading.

Kulkarni, Makarand↗

An Experimental and Analytical Investigation of Stirling Space Power Converter Heater Head

NASA has identified the Stirling power converter as a prime candidate for the next generation power system for space applications requiring 60000 hr of operation. To meet this long-term goal, several critical components of the power converter have been analyzed using advanced structural assessment methods. Perhaps the most critical component, because of its geometric complexity and operating environment, is the power converter's heater head. This report describes the life assessment of the heater head which includes the characterization of a viscoplastic material model, the thermal and structural analyses of the heater head, and the interpolation of fatigue and creep test results of a nickel-base superalloy, Udimet 720 LI (Low Inclusions), at several elevated temperatures for life prediction purposes.

Abdul-Aziz, Ali↗

A Note of Appreciation for the MUS

This note has been written to acknowledge the pervasive impact the Method of Universal Slopes (MUS) has had on the design and development of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) through its use in material fatigue properties definition for component analysis. Included is a brief historical perspective describing propulsion system development leading up to the SSME, the need for fatigue analysis capability in the SSME design, the role that MUS played in meeting that need as a material modeling tool and the engine's subsequent successful operating history.

Newell, J. F.↗