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At least 415 records · Page 23

A Limited Survey of General Purpose Finite Element Computer Programs

Ten representative programs are compared. A listing of additional programs encountered during the course of this effort is also included. Tables are presented to show the structural analysis, material, load, and modeling element capability for the ten selected programs.

Glaser, J. C.↗

Filament Wound Composite Analysis Using the NASA Multiscale Analysis Tool (NASMAT) and Finite Element Analysis

Fiber reinforced composite materials, owing to their tailorable thermomechanical and functional properties, allow one to produce a structure that is stronger, stiffer, and lighter than its metal counterpart while performing the same function, yielding a more efficient structure. This not only allows for the improvement of current technologies like aircraft structures, but also enables new technologies like gaseous hydrogen storage for mobility applications, which are otherwise impractical when manufactured using traditional metals due to weight and space restrictions or material embrittlement. However, the use of composites imposes greater design and manufacturing challenges on an engineer, since they are heterogenous, having a distinct structure across multiple length scale, behave generally anisotropically at the structural level and require complex manufacturing and processing methods. Capturing this complex behavior requires detailed numerical simulations, including the modeling of microstructural features like undulations, voids, and fiber alignment. In this paper, multiple repeating unit cells (RUCs), representing filament wound composites, are developed (via a script provided in the Appendix) and analyzed. The refinement of these RUCs is varied, and the analyses are performed using both the Abaqus finite element software and the NASA Multiscale Analysis Tool (NASMAT). A study is undertaken to compare the predicted effective elastic properties of the wound RUC to a laminate representation of the wound RUC, which neglects the undulations. Additionally, two different sets of periodic boundary conditions (PBCs) have been examined. One approximates the real boundary conditions using a standard approach and the other represents the PBCs exactly through the use of an offset. Lastly, a comparison of the local elastic stress fields is made among the models and approaches. Since wound structures are often approximated as laminated structures, it is important to understand the degree to which this assumption is valid, namely by first comparing the elastic constants and local elastic fields. This will provide, on the one hand, information concerning the bulk mechanical behavior and, on the other hand, insights concerning local load distributions and likely damage initiation sites.

Composites↗

Growth of Bio Sensor Materials by Physical Vapor Transport Method

Recently there is a big thrust on bio-inspired sensors and there has been a large rise in the investment and expectations for nanotechnology to meet these goals. For in situ sensor development materials deposition on substrate is essential part of device development. Physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and molecular organic vapor deposition methods have developed for growth of semiconductor bulk and thin film growth with some modifications have been used for these materials. Oxides and other elements of the VI group such as sulfides and selenides are key components in the skins of many species. Growth of ordered structures containing these elements have been achieved by using PVD method. This paper describes effect of growth parameters during PVD growth on the quality of materials. Growth kinetics and mechanism will be discussed for the vertical and horizontal growth reactors. Since most of the efficient materials systems are multinary and in many cases non-congruent, PVD provides a pathway to grow materials below melting temperature.

Sachs, David↗

Surface Micromachined Silicon Carbide Accelerometers for Gas Turbine Applications

A finite-element analysis of possible silicon carbide (SIC) folded-beam, lateral-resonating accelerometers is presented. Results include stiffness coefficients, acceleration sensitivities, resonant frequency versus temperature, and proof-mass displacements due to centripetal acceleration of a blade-mounted sensor. The surface micromachined devices, which are similar to the Analog Devices Inc., (Norwood, MA) air-bag crash detector, are etched from 2-pm thick, 3C-SiC films grown at 1600 K using atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD). The substrate is a 500 gm-thick, (100) silicon wafer. Polysilicon or silicon dioxide is used as a sacrificial layer. The finite element analysis includes temperature-dependent properties, shape change due to volume expansion, and thermal stress caused by differential thermal expansion of the materials. The finite-element results are compared to experimental results for a SiC device of similar, but not identical, geometry. Along with changes in mechanical design, blade-mounted sensors would require on-chip circuitry to cancel displacements due to centripetal acceleration and improve sensitivity and bandwidth. These findings may result in better accelerometer designs for this application.

DeAnna, Russell G.↗

Durability and damage tolerance of Large Composite Primary Aircraft Structure (LCPAS)

Analysis and testing addressing the key technology areas of durability and damage tolerance were completed for wing surface panels. The wing of a fuel-efficient, 200-passenger commercial transport airplane for 1990 delivery was sized using graphite-epoxy materials. Coupons of various layups used in the wing sizing were tested in tension, compression, and spectrum fatigue with typical fastener penetrations. The compression strength after barely visible impact damage was determined from coupon and structural element tests. One current material system and one toughened system were evaluated by coupon testing. The results of the coupon and element tests were used to design three distinctly different compression panels meeting the strength, stiffness, and damage-tolerance requirements of the upper wing panels. These three concepts were tested with various amounts of damage ranging from barely visible impact to through-penetration. The results of this program provide the key technology data required to assess the durability and damage-tolerance capability or advanced composites for use in commercial aircraft wing panel structure.

Mccarty, John E.↗

Stress analysis of a rectangular implant in laminated composites using 2-D and 3-D finite elements

An analysis method using the FEM based on the Hellinger-Reissner variation principle has been developed to determine the 3-D stresses and displacements near a rectangular implant inside a laminated composite material. Three-dimensional elements are employed in regions where the interlaminar stress is considered to be significant; 2-D elements are used in other areas. Uniaxially loaded graphite-epoxy laminates have been analyzed; the implant was modeled as four plies of 3501/6 epoxy located in the middle of the laminate. It is shown that the interlaminar stresses are an order of magnitude lower than the stress representing the applied far-field load. The stress concentration factors of both the interlaminar and in-plane stresses depend on the stacking sequence of the laminate.

Chow, Wai T.↗

Zee electrical interconnect

An interconnect, having some length, that reliably connects two conductors separated by the length of the interconnect when the connection is made but in which one length if unstressed would change relative to the other in operation. The interconnect comprises a base element an intermediate element and a top element. Each element is rectangular and formed of a conducting material and has opposed ends. The elements are arranged in a generally Z-shape with the base element having one end adapted to be connected to one conductor. The top element has one end adapted to be connected to another conductor and the intermediate element has its ends disposed against the other end of the base and the top element. Brazes mechanically and electrically interconnect the intermediate element to the base and the top elements proximate the corresponding ends of the elements. When the respective ends of the base and the top elements are connected to the conductors, an electrical connection is formed therebetween, and when the conductors are relatively moved or the interconnect elements change length the elements accommodate the changes and the associated compression and tension forces in such a way that the interconnect does not mechanically fatigue.

Rust, Thomas M.↗

Systematic control of nonmetallic materials for improved fire safety

The elements of a systematic fire safety program are summarized and consist of fire safety criteria, design considerations, testing of materials, development of nonmetallic materials, nonmetallic materials information systems, design reviews, and change control. The system described in this report was developed for the Apollo spacecraft. The system can, however, be tailored to many industrial, commercial, and military activities.

Source record↗

Solar particle abundances at energies of greater than 1 MeV per nucleon and the role of interplanetary shocks

The abundances of elements in large solar energetic-particle events in the energy range of 2-12 MeV per nucleon are examined. It is confirmed that the abundances relative to mean values vary approximately monotonically as a function of mass, except for He-4; some events show a gradual depletion of heavy ions, whereas a small number displays a gradual increase. A further organization of abundance data is shown, which depends on the longitude of the source region. Enhancements in Fe/C and other heavy elements relative to C occur when source regions are near west 60 deg; the enhancements are attributed to the sampling of a flare-heated material. Depletions of these elements are found to be greatest for source regions near central meridian; they are matched by a steepening of the spectrum and can be understood in terms of diffusive shock acceleration.

Cane, H. V.↗

A status review of NASA's COSAM (Conservation Of Strategic Aerospace Materials) program

The use and supply of strategic elements in nickel base superalloys for gas turbine engines are reviewed. Substitution of strategic elements, advanced processing concepts, and the identification of alternate materials are considered. Cobalt, tantalum, columbium, and chromium, the supplies of which are 91-100% imported, are the materials of major concern.

Stephens, J. R.↗

High-resolution IUE observations of interstellar absorption lines in the Vela supernova remnant

Ultraviolet spectra of 45 stars in the vicinity of the Vela supernova remnant were recorded by the short-wavelength echelle spectrograph aboard the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE). Over one-third of the stars show interstellar absorption lines at large radial velocities (greater than 60 km/s). The mapping of these high-velocity components in the sky suggests the motions are chaotic, rather than from a coherent expansion of the remnant material. In accord with earlier conclusions from Copernicus data, the gas at high velocity exhibits higher than normal ionization and shows substantially less depletion of nonvolatile elements than normal interstellar material at low velocities. Relatively strong lines from neutral carbon in the two excited fine-structure states indicate that the neutral clouds within the remnant have had their pressures enhanced by the passage of the blast wave from the supernova. Also, the remnant seems to show a significant enhancement in the abundances of low-velocity Si IV, C IV, and N V over those found in the general interstellar medium.

Jenkins, E. B.↗

Luna 16 - Some Li, K, Rb, Sr, Ba, rare-earth, Zr, and Hf concentrations.

Concentrations of Li, K, Rb, Sr, Na, rare-earths, Zr and Hf have been determined for some Luna 16 core materials by mass-spectrometric isotope-dilution. Two regolith fines samples from different depths in the core, and four rock-chips, including both igneous rocks and breccias, have similar trace-element concentrations. The Luna 16 materials have general lunar trace-element characteristics but differ from other returned lunar samples in a manner that suggests the presence of excess feldspar. Unless the Luna 16 igneous rocks are fused soils, they appear to represent either partial plagioclase cumulates or the least differentiated igneous material yet returned from the moon. The similarity in trace-element concentrations of the igneous rocks and the fines would then suggest largely local derivation of the Luna 16 regolith.

Philpotts, J. A.↗

Two-dimensional finite element model of the pultrusion process

Composite materials used in the fabrication of industrial products/components are under constant development. Applications vary widely from consumer products to high-performance aerospace components. The pultrusion process is one of the important methods of production of composite materials. In order to develop a fundamental understanding of this process, a computational model employing the finite element method is developed which enables a prediction of the material temperature and degree-of-cure at any time during the process. The model is comprehensive; it can readily be employed to perform parametric studies of the process and to aid in the development of efficient design procedures for this type of material system. Comparisons are made between model predictions and experimental results and good agreement is observed.

Hackett, Robert M.↗

Applications of NASTRAN to nuclear problems

The extent to which suitable solutions may be obtained for one physics problem and two engineering type problems is traced. NASTRAN appears to be a practical tool to solve one-group steady-state neutron diffusion equations. Transient diffusion analysis may be performed after new levels that allow time-dependent temperature calculations are developed. NASTRAN piecewise linear anlaysis may be applied to solve those plasticity problems for which a smooth stress-strain curve can be used to describe the nonlinear material behavior. The accuracy decreases when sharp transitions in the stress-strain relations are involved. Improved NASTRAN usefulness will be obtained when nonlinear material capabilities are extended to axisymmetric elements and to include provisions for time-dependent material properties and creep analysis. Rigid formats 3 and 5 proved to be very convenient for the buckling and normal-mode analysis of a nuclear fuel element.

Spreeuw, E.↗

Connector pin and method

An electrical connector and method includes a connector and a conforming element proximate to or in contact with the mating end of the connector so as to prevent distortion of a matable end. The matable end of the connector may be of a female or male type and may be of a post, tube, blade, pin, or other configuration. An element made of conforming material, for example, an elastomer, epoxy or rubber type material, is configured and positioned in contact with the matable end of the connector, providing support during assembly to prevent distortion of the matable end. The conforming element may be rectangular, wedge, cylindrical, conical, annular, or of another configuration as required to provide support to the connector pin. The conforming element may be fastened with an adhesive to the matable end to further prevent distortion.

Davis, Donald R.↗

Compositional data for twenty-one Fra Mauro lunar materials.

Major, minor, and trace element analyses are presented for two igneous rocks, six breccias, four microbreccias, two breccia clasts, and six soils, as well as a sample of sawdust from rock 14066. Evaluation of the data suggests that the samples from the Fra Mauro highlands have the same nonterrestrial characteristics shown previously by the samples returned from the mare regions by Apollo 11 and 12 - namely, a high refractory element content, a lower volatile element content, and an excess reducing capacity above that due to FeO. The Fra Mauro soils have higher concentrations of Al2O3, Na2O, and K2O and lower amounts of FeO and TiO2 than do the mare soils. They also show a bimodal distribution of Ni, B, and Nb. The highland breccias are richer in SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, Na2O, and K2O than those returned from the mare lowlands. FeO, TiO2, and MnO are lower in concentration at Fra Mauro, and the highland breccias are more complex mineralogically than those collected previously.

Rose, H. J., Jr.↗