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At least 415 records · Page 23

IGGy: An interactive environment for surface grid generation

A graphically interactive derivative of the EAGLE boundary code is presented. This code allows the user to interactively build and execute commands and immediately see the results. Strong ties with a batch oriented script language are maintained. A generalized treatment of grid definition parameters allows a more generic definition of the grid generation process and allows the generation of command scripts which can be applied to topologically similar configurations. The use of the graphical user interface is outlined and example applications are presented.

Prewitt, Nathan C.↗

Experimental aerothermodynamic research of hypersonic aircraft

The 2-D and 3-D advance computer codes being developed for use in the design of such hypersonic aircraft as the National Aero-Space Plane require comparison of the computational results with a broad spectrum of experimental data to fully assess the validity of the codes. This is particularly true for complex flow fields with control surfaces present and for flows with separation, such as leeside flow. Therefore, the objective is to provide a hypersonic experimental data base required for validation of advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computer codes and for development of more thorough understanding of the flow physics necessary for these codes. This is being done by implementing a comprehensive test program for a generic all-body hypersonic aircraft model in the NASA/Ames 3.5 foot Hypersonic Wind Tunnel over a broad range of test conditions to obtain pertinent surface and flowfield data. Results from the flow visualization portion of the investigation are presented.

Cleary, Joseph W.↗

Evaluation of HZETRN on the Martian Surface: Sensitivity Tests and Model Results

The Mars Science Laboratory Radiation Assessment Detector (MSLRAD) is providing continuous measurements of dose, dose equivalent, and particle flux on the surface of Mars. These measurements have been highly useful in validating environmental and radiation transport models that will be heavily relied upon for future deep space missions. In this work, the HZETRN code is utilized to estimate radiation quantities of interest on the Martian surface. A description of the modeling approach used with HZETRN is given along with the various input models and parameters used to define the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) environment and Martian geometry. Sensitivity tests are performed to gauge the impact of varying several input factors on quantities being compared to MSLRAD data. Results from these tests provide context for inter-code comparisons presented in a companion paper within this issue. It is found that details of the regolith and atmospheric composition have a minimal impact on surface flux, dose, and dose equivalent. Details of the density variation within the atmosphere and uncertainties associated with specifying the vertical atmospheric thickness are also found to have minimal impact. Two widely used GCR models are used as input into HZETRN and it is found that the associated surface quantities are within several percent of each other.

Tony C Slaba↗

Calculation of steady and unsteady pressures on wings at supersonic speeds with a transonic small disturbance code

A transonic unsteady aerodynamic and aeroelasticity code has been developed for application to realistic aircraft configurations. The new code is called CAP-TSD which is an acronym for Computational Aeroelasticity Program - Transonic Small Disturbance. The CAP-TSD code uses a time-accurate approximate factorization algorithm for solution of the unsteady transonic small-disturbance equation that is efficient for solution of steady and unsteady transonic flow problems including supersonic freestream flows. The new code can treat complete aircraft geometries with multiple lifting surfaces and bodies. Applications to wings in supersonic freestream flow are presented. Comparisons with selected exact solutions from linear theory are presented showing generally favorable results. Calculations for both steady and oscillatory cases for the F-5 and RAE tailplane models are compared with experimental data and also show good overall agreement. Selected steady calculations are further compared with a steady flow Euler code.

Bennett, Robert M.↗

High-speed code validation

The topics are presented in viewgraph form and include the following: NFL body experiment; high-speed validation problems; 3-D Euler/Navier-Stokes inlet code; two-strut inlet configuration; pressure contours in two longitudinal planes; sidewall pressure distribution; pressure distribution on strut inner surface; inlet/forebody tests in 60 inch helium tunnel; pressure distributions on elliptical missile; code validations; small scale test apparatus; CARS nonintrusive measurements; optimized cone-derived waverider study; etc.

Barnwell, Richard W.↗

On Calculation Methods and Results for Straight Cylindrical Roller Bearing Deflection, Stiffness, and Stress

The purpose of this study was to assess some calculation methods for quantifying the relationships of bearing geometry, material properties, load, deflection, stiffness, and stress. The scope of the work was limited to two-dimensional modeling of straight cylindrical roller bearings. Preparations for studies of dynamic response of bearings with damaged surfaces motivated this work. Studies were selected to exercise and build confidence in the numerical tools. Three calculation methods were used in this work. Two of the methods were numerical solutions of the Hertz contact approach. The third method used was a combined finite element surface integral method. Example calculations were done for a single roller loaded between an inner and outer raceway for code verification. Next, a bearing with 13 rollers and all-steel construction was used as an example to do additional code verification, including an assessment of the leading order of accuracy of the finite element and surface integral method. Results from that study show that the method is at least first-order accurate. Those results also show that the contact grid refinement has a more significant influence on precision as compared to the finite element grid refinement. To explore the influence of material properties, the 13-roller bearing was modeled as made from Nitinol 60, a material with very different properties from steel and showing some potential for bearing applications. The codes were exercised to compare contact areas and stress levels for steel and Nitinol 60 bearings operating at equivalent power density. As a step toward modeling the dynamic response of bearings having surface damage, static analyses were completed to simulate a bearing with a spall or similar damage.

Krantz, Timothy L.↗

Validation of US3D for Capsule Aerodynamics using 05-CA Wind Tunnel Test Data

Several comparisons of computational fluid dynamics to wind tunnel test data are shown for the purpose of code validation. The wind tunnel test, 05-CA, uses a 7.66% model of NASA's Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle in the 11-foot test section of the Ames Unitary Plan Wind tunnel. A variety of freestream conditions over four Mach numbers and three angles of attack are considered. Test data comparisons include time-averaged integrated forces and moments, time-averaged static pressure ports on the surface, and Strouhal Number. The applicability of the US3D code to subsonic and transonic flow over a bluff body is assessed on a comprehensive data set. With close comparison, this work validates US3D for highly separated flows similar to those examined here.

Schwing, Alan↗

Pretest Computational Assessment of Boundary Layer Transition in the NASA Juncture Flow Model with an NACA 0015-Based Wing

The first two phases of the NASA Juncture Flow experiment were carried out on a DLR-F6 swept-wing model and were designed to provide “CFD validation-quality” data toward the assessment and improvement of existing CFD turbulence models in predicting onset and extent of three-dimensional separated flow near the wing-juncture trailing-edge region. The next phase of experiments will involve an NACA 0015-based swept wing, as prior risk reduction experiments had indicated that this wing shape resulted in reduced separation near the juncture region than the DLR-F6 wing, thus providing a better option to evaluate the ability of CFD models to predict incipient turbulent separation. The NACA 0015 measurements will also include IR thermography to infer the variation of transition front with respect to an increasing angle of attack. The primary objective of this work is to computationally make a preliminary assessment of the transition front on both surfaces of the NACA 0015 wing at a crank-chord-based Reynolds number of 2.4 x 106 for four different angles of attack, (0°, 2.5°, 5°, and 7.5°) and to determine the dominant mechanisms responsible for transition. This assessment includes both RANS-based transition models from NASA’s OVERFLOW 2.3b flow solver and linear parabolized stability equations (PSE) stability analysis based on the Langley Stability and Transition Analysis code, LASTRAC. Linear PSE results indicate that the upper surface of the wing is dominated by Tollmien- Schlichting (TS) instabilities, and that the laminar flow region shrinks from about 50% chord to a very small region just downstream of the attachment line as the angle of attack is increased from 0° to 7.5°. Consequently, the transition fronts predicted by the Spalart- Allmaras-based amplification factor transport (AFT-2017b) equation model (which accounts for the TS instabilities alone) and the Menter’s shear-stress transport equation (SST2003)- based Langtry-Menter transition model with ability to account for both TS and crossflow effects (LM2015) compare well with those predicted using linear PSE. On the lower surface of the wing, stationary crossflow (CF) instabilities begin to appear on the inboard portion of the wing in addition to the TS-instabilities for the larger angles of attack (5° and 7.5°), further reducing the laminar flow extent within the inboard region. The LM2015 model that accounts for CF effects is able to replicate this trend but appears to predict a slightly earlier transition. The outcome of this effort will inform the experiment and, when the actual experimental data become available, provide further opportunity to assess and improve the various transition models.

CFD modeling↗

Pretest Computational Assessment of Boundary Layer Transition in the NASA Juncture Flow Model with an NACA 0015-Based Wing

The first two phases of the NASA Juncture Flow experiment were carried out on a DLR-F6 swept-wing model and were designed to provide “CFD validation-quality” data toward the assessment and improvement of existing CFD turbulence models in predicting onset and extent of three-dimensional separated flow near the wing-juncture trailing-edge region. The next phase of experiments will involve an NACA 0015-based swept wing, as prior risk reduction experiments had indicated that this wing shape resulted in reduced separation near the juncture region than the DLR-F6 wing, thus providing a better option to evaluate the ability of CFD models to predict incipient turbulent separation. The NACA 0015 measurements will also include IR thermography to infer the variation of transition front with respect to an increasing angle of attack. The primary objective of this work is to computationally make a preliminary assessment of the transition front on both surfaces of the NACA 0015 wing at a crank-chord-based Reynolds number of 2.4 x 106 for four different angles of attack, (0°, 2.5°, 5°, and 7.5°) and to determine the dominant mechanisms responsible for transition. This assessment includes both RANS-based transition models from NASA’s OVERFLOW 2.3b flow solver and linear parabolized stability equations (PSE) stability analysis based on the Langley Stability and Transition Analysis code, LASTRAC. Linear PSE results indicate that the upper surface of the wing is dominated by Tollmien- Schlichting (TS) instabilities, and that the laminar flow region shrinks from about 50% chord to a very small region just downstream of the attachment line as the angle of attack is increased from 0° to 7.5°. Consequently, the transition fronts predicted by the Spalart- Allmaras-based amplification factor transport (AFT-2017b) equation model (which accounts for the TS instabilities alone) and the Menter’s shear-stress transport equation (SST2003)- based Langtry-Menter transition model with ability to account for both TS and crossflow effects (LM2015) compare well with those predicted using linear PSE. On the lower surface of the wing, stationary crossflow (CF) instabilities begin to appear on the inboard portion of the wing in addition to the TS-instabilities for the larger angles of attack (5° and 7.5°), further reducing the laminar flow extent within the inboard region. The LM2015 model that accounts for CF effects is able to replicate this trend but appears to predict a slightly earlier transition. The outcome of this effort will inform the experiment and, when the actual experimental data become available, provide further opportunity to assess and improve the various transition models.

CFD modeling↗

QUICK-GEOMETRY, a rapid response method for mathematically modeling configuration geometry

The philosophy, development, and various applications of the QUICK-GEOMETRY system were outlined. This system provides a practical method for developing the geometry models that are essential to the operation of computer-based design and manufacturing systems. Of particular interest are the various methods for modeling surface geometry that are used by aerodynamic analysis codes.

Vachris, A. F., Jr.↗

A finite element stress analysis of spur gears including fillet radii and rim thickness effects

Spur gear stress analysis results are presented for a variety of loading conditions, support conditions, fillet radii, and rim thickness. These results are obtained using the SAP IV finite-element code. The maximum stresses, occurring at the root surface, substantially increase with decreasing rim thickness for partially supported rims (that is, with loose-fitting hubs). For fully supported rims (that is, with tight-fitting hubs), the root surface stresses slightly decrease with decreasing rim thickness. The fillet radius is found to have a significant effect upon the maximum stresses at the root surface. These stresses increase with increasing fillet radius. The fillet radius has little effect upon the internal root section stresses.

Chang, S. H.↗

On finite element stress analysis of spur gears

Spur gear stress analysis results are presented for a variety of loading conditions, support conditions, root radii, and rime thicknesses. These results are obtained using the SAP-IV finite element code. The maximum stresses, occurring at the root surface, substantially increase with decreasing rim thickness for partially supported rims (that is, with loose fitting hubs). For fully supported rims (that is, with tight fitting hubs), the root surface stresses slightly decrease with decreasing rim thickness. The fillet radius has a significant effect upon the maximum stesses at the root surface. These stresses increase with decreasing fillet radius. Finally, the fillet radius has little effect upon the internal root section stresses.

Chang, S. H.↗

Weibull crack density coefficient for polydimensional stress states

A structural ceramic analysis and reliability evaluation code has recently been developed encompassing volume and surface flaw induced fracture, modeled by the two-parameter Weibull probability density function. A segment of the software involves computing the Weibull polydimensional stress state crack density coefficient from uniaxial stress experimental fracture data. The relationship of the polydimensional stress coefficient to the uniaxial stress coefficient is derived for a shear-insensitive material with a random surface flaw population.

Gross, Bernard↗

MOLFLUX analysis of the SSF electrical power system contamination

The external induced contamination of Space Station Freedom's electrical power system surfaces is assessed using a molecular flow evaluation code, MOLFLUX. Outgassing rates are compared to available experimental data, and deposition to the midregion of both the solar array and the photovoltaic power module thermal control system radiator is calculated using a constant sticking coefficient. An estimate of annual deposition to the solar array due to outgassing is found to be 10 percent of the Space Station Freedom program requirement for maximum allowable deposition, while annual deposition to the radiator is approximately equal to the requirement.

Cognion, Rita L.↗

A parametric study of the leading edge attachment line for the F-16XL

A three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code is used to computationally simulate the flow about a modified F-16XL. Transition mechanisms (e.g. attachment line location and crossflow instability) near the swept wing leading edge are analyzed in detail. Flow visualization is used to study the influence of angle-of-attack on the aforementioned transition mechanisms. Validation of the code is accomplished by comparison of numerically generated surface pressures with that obtained by in-flight experiments.

Flores, Jolen↗

ISOLEV - A level surface cutting plane program for fluid flow data

A computer program, ISOLEV, allows interactive visualization of CFD scalar and vector functions by means of user-specified sections of the data. The application is based on table lookups which govern both isosurface generation on hexahedral grid cells and recursive subdivision of the cells. The program supports Gouraud-shaded color maps of the data, surface-on-surface maps, and deformation surfaces of vector fields. The execution of the code for animated sweeps is improved by resorting to the cells in the database and maintaining an active set of cells to be rendered.

Kerlick, G. David↗

A user guide for the EMTAC-MZ CFD code

The computer code (EMTAC-MZ) was applied to investigate the flow field over a variety of very complex three-dimensional (3-D) configurations across the Mach number range (subsonic, transonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flow). In the code, a finite volume, multizone implementation of high accuracy, total variation diminishing (TVD) formulation (based on Roe's scheme) is used to solve the unsteady Euler equations. In the supersonic regions of the flow, an infinitely large time step and a space-marching scheme is employed. A finite time step and a relaxation or 3-D approximate factorization method is used in subsonic flow regions. The multizone technique allows very complicated configurations to be modeled without geometry modifications, and can easily handle combined internal and external flow problems. An elliptic grid generation package is built into the EMTAC-MZ code. To generate the computational grid, only the surface geometry data are required. Results obtained for a variety of configurations, such as fighter-like configurations (F-14, AVSTOL), flow through inlet, multi-bodies (shuttle with external tank and SRBs), are reported and shown to be in good agreement with available experimental data.

Szema, Kuo-Yen↗

On predicting contamination levels of HALOE optics aboard UARS using direct simulation Monte Carlo

A three-dimensional version of the direct simulation Monte Carlo method is adapted to assess the contamination environment surrounding a highly detailed model of the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite. Emphasis is placed on simulating a realistic, worst-case set of flowfield and surface conditions and geometric orientations in order to estimate an upper limit for the cumulative level of volatile organic molecular deposits at the aperture of the Halogen Occultation Experiment. Problems resolving species outgassing and vent flux rates that varied over many orders of magnitude were handled using species weighting factors. Results relating to contaminant cloud structure, cloud composition, and statistics of simulated molecules impinging on the target surface are presented, along with data related to code performance. Using procedures developed in standard contamination analyses, the cumulative level of volatile organic deposits on HALOE's aperture over the instrument's 35-month nominal data collection period is estimated to be about 2700A.

Woronowicz, Michael S.↗