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At least 451 records · Page 25

Factors influencing the thermally-induced strength degradation of B/Al composites

Literature data related to the thermally-induced strength degradation of B/Al composites were examined in the light of fracture theories based on reaction-controlled fiber weakening. Under the assumption of a parabolic time-dependent growth for the interfacial reaction product, a Griffith-type fracture model was found to yield simple equations whose predictions were in good agreement with data for boron fiber average strength and for B/Al axial fracture strain. The only variables in these equations were the time and temperature of the thermal exposure and an empirical factor related to fiber surface smoothness prior to composite consolidation. Such variables as fiber diameter and aluminum alloy composition were found to have little influence. The basic and practical implications of the fracture model equations are discussed.

Dicarlo, J. A.↗

Effect of empennage location on twin-engine afterbody-nozzle aerodynamic characteristics at Mach Numbers from 0.6 to 1.2

The Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel was used to determine the effects of several empennage and afterbody parameters on the aft-end aerodynamic characteristics of a twin-engine fighter-type configuration. Model variables were as follows: horizontal tail axial location and incidence, vertical tail axial location and configuration (twin- versus single-tail arrangements), tail booms, and nozzle power setting. Tests were conducted over a Mach number range from 0.6 to 1.2 and over an angle-of-attack from -2 deg to 10 deg. Jet total-pressure ratio was varied from jet off to approximately 10.0.

Leavitt, L. D.↗

A Study of the Relation Between Crop Growth and Spectra Reflectance Parameters

The relationship between crop growth and spectra reflectance parameters was studied. The dynamic behavior of canopy reflectance versus time and the relationship of trajectories to canopy dynamics, ontogeny and morphology was investigated. The determination of which transformations of spectral data best suited for observing key canopy characteristics, such as leaf area index and vegetation identification are understood. A physical basis to understand how various spectral transform trajectories depend on vegetation type and models that describe the time delayed interaction of reflectance in the chlorophyll and water absorption bands to monitor stress were formulated. The general process of physical understanding of canopy reflectance is evaluated and existing canopy models are improved.

Badhwar, G.↗

V/STOL wind-tunnel testing

Factors influencing effective program planning for V/STOL wind-tunnel testing are discussed. The planning sequence itself, which includes a short checklist of considerations that could enhance the value of the tests, is also described. Each of the considerations, choice of wind tunnel, type of model installation, model development and test operations, is discussed, and examples of appropriate past and current V/STOL test programs are provided. A short survey of the moderate to large subsonic wind tunnels is followed by a review of several model installations, from two-dimensional to large-scale models of complete aircraft configurations. Model sizing, power simulation, and planning are treated, including three areas is test operations: data-acquisition systems, acoustic measurements in wind tunnels, and flow surveying.

Koenig, D. G.↗

A simple rectangular element for 2-dimensional analysis of laminated composites

A simple rectangular finite element was developed for two dimensional analysis of laminated composite materials. The rectangular laminated composite element eliminates the need to add elements to a model simply to account for the material properties of various laminae. This is particularly advantageous for thick laminates with many lamina. Explicit integration in terms of generalized displacements minimizes the algebraic effort required to derive the element stiffness and the thermal load vector. A substitute shape function technique is used to improve the performance of the element in modeling bending type deformation. Results for several example problems are discussed.

Whitcomb, J. D.↗

A programmable power processor for high power space applications

A Programmable Power Processor (P3) has been developed for application in future large space power systems. The P3 is capable of operation over a wide range of input voltage (26 to 375 Vdc) and output voltage (24 to 180 Vdc). The peak output power capability is 18 kW (180 V at 100 A). The output characteristics of the P3 can be programmed to any voltage and/or current level within the limits of the processor and may be controlled as a function of internal or external parameters. Seven breadboard P3s and one 'flight-type' engineering model P3 have been built and tested both individually and in electrical power systems. The programmable feature allows the P3 to be used in a variety of applications by changing the output characteristics. Test results, including efficiency at various input/output combinations, transient response, and output impedance, are presented.

Lanier, J. R., Jr.↗

Factors influencing the thermally-induced strength degradation of B/Al composites

Literature data related to the thermally-induced strength degradation of B/Al composites were examined in the light of fracture theories based on reaction-controlled fiber weakening. Under the assumption of a parabolic time-dependent growth for the interfacial reaction product, a Griffith-type fracture model was found to yield simple equations whose predictions were in good agreement with data for boron fiber average strength and for B/Al axial fracture strain. The only variables in these equations were the time and temperature of the thermal exposure and an empirical factor related to fiber surface smoothness prior to composite consolidation. Such variables as fiber diameter and aluminum alloy composition were found to have little influence. The basic and practical implications of the fracture model equations are discussed. Previously announced in STAR as N82-24297

Dicarlo, J. A.↗

Titanium isotopic anomalies in meteorites

Studies of Ti isotopic compositions have shown that virtually every Ca-Al-rich Allende inclusion contains anomalous Ti. The present investigation is concerned with the results of a study of Ti isotopic compositions in meteorites. One objective of the study is to evaluate the possibility of a relation between oxygen and Ti anomalies, while another objective is to explore questions regarding the origin of the Ti anomalies. A summary of the major experimental findings of the study of Ti isotopic compositions is also presented. It is noted that an assessment of the implications of the Ti results favors a chemical memory type of model in which products from various nucleosynthetic sources survive in mineral grains. Isotopic heterogeneities are then preserved due to incomplete mixing and/or equilibriation with the bulk of solar system matter. Strong arguments are found to exist against a pure late supernova injection model.

Niemeyer, S.↗

The Support of Long Wavelength Loads on Venus

One of the great surprises of the Pioneer Venus mission was the high degree of correlation between topography and gravity found at all wavelengths. This implies a close relationship between topography and lateral subsurface density anomalies, such as those due to passive or dynamic compensation. Sleep-Phillips type compensation model with a variable crustal thickness and a variable upper mantle density was developed. The thin shell theory was used to investigate three end member cases: (1) loading by topographic construction, resulting in a downward deflection of the surface (no mantle support); (2) completely compensated support of a constructional load (no surface deflection); and (3) topography due entirely to upward deflection of the surface supported by a low density upper mantle (no surface load). In general, the models imply relatively thick crust and dense upper mantle for Ishtar Terra and Ovda Regio (western Aphrodite), thinned crust and buoyant upper mantle for Tethus Regio and regions near Sappho and Alpha Regio, and a nearly uniform crust with a buoyant upper mantle for Beta Regio and Atla Regio (eastern Aphrodite).

Benerdt, W. B.↗

Terrestrial Analogs for Planetary Wrinkle Ridges

Wrinkle ridges are common physiographic features on the terrestrial planets. Their origin has remained enigmatic, although two different types of models, volcanic and tectonic, have been proposed. The major impediment to deciphering the origin of wrinkle ridges has been the lack of a terrestrial analog. Seven terrestrial analogs were discussed, two in detail. Their implications for the origin for planetary wrinkle ridges were considered. All of the terrestrial analogs were formed in compressional environments and are the surface breaks of thrust faults.

Plescia, J. B.↗

The buffeting pressure field of a high-aspect-ratio swept wing

An experimental study of the fluctuating pressure field of a high-aspect-ratio swept transport-type wing model in transonic buffeting flow is examined. A high degree of similarity between the buffet-related features of the wing flowfield and 2-D transonic flowfields is indicated. At several spanwise stations, unsteady lift produced by the pressure fluctuations is evaluated and found to increase in intensity as local flow separation develops. Results show that although the wing does vibrate, the measured lift fluctuations are driving, and not driven by wing vibrations. The influence of tunnel-flow unsteadiness on the data is considered.

Roos, F. W.↗

Robust failure detection filters

The robustness of detection filters applied to the detection of actuator failures on a free-free beam is analyzed. This analysis is based on computer simulation tests of the detection filters in the presence of different types of model mismatch, and on frequency response functions of the transfers corresponding to the model mismatch. The robustness of detection filters based on a model of the beam containing a large number of structural modes varied dramatically with the placement of some of the filter poles. The dynamics of these filters were very hard to analyze. The design of detection filters with a number of modes equal to the number of sensors was trivial. They can be configured to detect any number of actuator failure events. The dynamics of these filters were very easy to analyze and their robustness properties were much improved. A change of the output transformation allowed the filter to perform satisfactorily with realistic levels of model mismatch.

Sanmartin, A. M.↗

A simple rectangular element for two-dimensional analysis of laminated composites

A simple rectangular finite element was developed for two-dimensional analysis of laminated composite materials. The rectangular laminated composite element eliminates the need to add elements to a model simply to account for the material properties of various laminae. This is particularly advantageous for thick laminates with many lamina. Explicit integration in terms of generalized displacements minimizes the algebraic effort required to derive the element stiffness and the thermal load vector. A substitute shape function technique is used to improve the performance of the element in modeling bending type deformation. Results for several example problems are discussed.

Whitcomb, J. D.↗

Directional handling qualities requirements for nap-of-the-earth tasks

A piloted similator experiment designed to investigate directional axis handling qualities requirements for low-speed and hover tasks conducted by a scout/attack helicopter is described. Included were the directional characteristics of various candidate light helicopter family (LHX) configurations. The test also focused on conventional single main/tail rotor configurations where the first-order effects that contribute to the loss of tail rotor control experienced by the OH-58 series aircraft were modeled. Two types of yaw stability and control augmentation systems were implemented: washed-out yaw rate feedback and shaped control input, and a yaw rate command, heading-hold system. The results of the experiment indicate that rotorcraft configurations with high directional gust sensitivity require more yaw damping to maintain satisfactory handling qualities during nap-of-the-earth (NOE) flying tasks. It was also determined that both yaw damping and control response are critical handling qualities parameters in performing the air-to-air target acquisition and tracking task. The lack of substantial yaw damping and larger values of gust sensitivity increased the possibility of loss of directional control at low airspeeds for the tail rotor configurations.

Bivens, C. C.↗

Giacobini-Zinner magnetotail - Ice magnetic field observations

A well developed magnetotail with a diameter of about 10,000 km has been revealed 7800 km downstream of the nucleus of Comet Giacobini-Zinner by International Cometary Explorer magnetic field observations. The tail is composed of two lobes of opposite magnetic polarity that are separated by an approximately 1500 km-thick plasma sheets. The field magnitude increases by a factor of 2 between the outer portions of the lobe and the central regions, where peak fields of about 60 nT were measured. Flaring is lowest in the high field regions of the central tail and greatest in the outer portions of the lobes, where minimum variance analyses on the magnetopause crossings furnishes flare angles of 20-40 deg. The Alfven field line draping model of type I cometary tails is confirmed by these observations.

Slavin, J. A.↗

Experiments on supersonic turbulent flow development in a square duct

The nature of supersonic, turbulent, adiabatic-wall flow in a square duct is investigated experimentally over a development length of x/D between 0 and 20 for a uniform flow, Mach 3.9 condition at the duct inlet. Initial discussion centers on the duct configuration itself, which was designed specifically to minimize wave effects and nozzle-induced distortion in the flow. Total pressure contours and local skin friction coefficient distributions are presented which show that the flow develops in a manner similar to that observed for the incompressible case. In particular, undulations exist in total pressure contours within the cross plane and in transverse skin friction coefficient distributions, which are indicative of the presence of a well-defined secondary flow superimposed upon the primary flow. The results are analyzed to show that local law-of-the-wall behavior extends well into the corner region, which implies that wall functions conventionally applied in two-equation type turbulence models, when suitably defined for compressible flow, may also be applied to supersonic streamwise corner flows.

Gessner, F. B.↗

Calculations of electric currents in Europa

Electrical currents should flow in the Galilean satellite, Europa, because it is located in Jupiter's corotating magnetosphere. The possible magnitudes of these currents are calculated by assuming that Europa is a differentiated body consisting of an outer H2O layer and a silicate core. Two types of models are considered here: one in which the water is completely frozen and a second in which there is an intermediate liquid layer. For the transverse electric mode (eddy currents), the calculated current density in a liquid layer is approximately 10 to the -5/Am. For the transverse magnetic mode (unipolar generator), the calculated current density in the liquid is severely constrained by the ice layer to a range of only 10 to the -10 to -11th power/ Am, for a total H2O thickness of 100 km, provided that neither layer is less than 4 km thick. The current density is less for a completely frozen H2O layer. If transient cracks were to appear in the ice layer, thereby exposing liquid, the calculated current density could rise to a range of 10 to the -6 to 10 to the -5/Am, depending on layer thicknesses, which would require an exposed area of 10 to the -9 to 10 to the -8 of the Europa surface. The corresponding total current of 2.3x10 to the 5th power A could in 1 yr. electrolyze 7x10 to the 5th power kg of water (and more if the cells were in series), and thereby store up to 10 the 8th power J of energy, but it is not clear how electrolysis can take place in the absence of suitable electrodes. Electrical heating would be significant only if the ice-layer thickness were on the order of 1 m, such as might occur if an exposed liquid surface were to freeze over; the heating under this condition could hinder the thickening of the ice layer.

Colburn, D. S.↗

Steady and unsteady aerodynamic forces from the SOUSSA surface-panel method for a fighter wing with tip missile and comparison with experiment and PANAIR

The body surface-panel method SOUSSA is applied to calculate steady and unsteady lift and pitching moment coefficients on a thin fighter-type wing model with and without a tip-mounted missile. Comparisons are presented with experimental results and with PANAIR and PANAIR-related calculations for Mach numbers from 0.6 to 0.9. In general the SOUSSA program, the experiments, and the PANAIR (and related) programs give lift and pitching-moment results which agree at least fairly well, except for the unsteady clean-wing experimental moment and the unsteady moment on the wing tip body calculated by a PANAIR-predecessor program at a Mach number of 0.8.

Cunningham, Herbert J.↗