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At least 487 records · Page 27

Edgewise Compression Testing of STIPS-0 (Structurally Integrated Thermal Protection System)

The Structurally Integrated Thermal Protection System (SITPS) task was initiated by the NASA Hypersonics Project under the Fundamental Aeronautics Program to develop a structural load-carrying thermal protection system for use in aerospace applications. The initial NASA concept for SITPS consists of high-temperature composite facesheets (outer and inner mold lines) with a light-weight insulated structural core. An edgewise compression test was performed on the SITPS-0 test article at room temperature using conventional instrumentation and methods in order to obtain panel-level mechanical properties and behavior of the panel. Three compression loadings (10, 20 and 37 kips) were applied to the SITPS-0 panel. The panel behavior was monitored using standard techniques and non-destructive evaluation methods such as photogrammetry and acoustic emission. The elastic modulus of the SITPS-0 panel was determined to be 1.146x106 psi with a proportional limit at 1039 psi. Barrel-shaped bending of the panel and partial delamination of the IML occurred under the final loading.

Brewer, Amy R.↗

AFRL Additive Manufacturing Modeling Series: Challenge 4, In Situ Mechanical Test of an IN625 Sample with Concurrent High-Energy Diffraction Microscopy Characterization

In this work, we describe 3D characterization of an additively manufactured Inconel 625 nickel-base superalloy specimen conducted during a uniaxial tension test using a suite of nondestructive x-ray techniques. High-energy diffraction microscopy in both near- and far-field modalities are employed in situ to track evolution of the material orientation and stress–strain fields at six points during the mechanical test, and these data streams are registered with micro-computed tomography reconstructions which probe the material density. This data volume was matched to a multi-modal serial sectioning characterization of the specimen taken after loading, described in this article’s companion. Twenty-eight grains which were monitored throughout the experiment were selected to form the basis for AFRL AM Modeling Series Challenge 4, Microscale Structure-to-Properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Deep learning approaches to semantic segmentation of fatigue cracking within cyclically loaded nickel superalloy

Improvements to synchrotron-based micro-computed tomography scanning capabilities have gifted researchers the ability to characterize 4D material thermomechanical responses more thoroughly than ever before. These advancements, however, have brought about new challenges in analyzing the resulting deluge of data. We report on a nickel-based superalloy specimen imaged 26 times in-situ during cyclic loading at Argonne National Laboratory Advanced Photon Source beamline 1ID, in order to monitor crack growth within the microstructure. Therefore, several deep learning approaches which utilize convolutional neural networks are implemented to segment crack features from reconstructed tomography scans. U-Net architecture implementations are found to be especially effective, achieving IoU = 0.995 +/- 0.004 and Matthews correlation coefficient scores of Φ = 0.826 +/- 0.085. These advancements broaden possibilities for scientists seeking to automate segmentation analyses of similar large datasets.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DINGO: Digital assistant to grid operators for resilience management of power distribution system

With increasing adverse weather events and disasters, enabling resiliency of the power distribution system (PDS) is becoming increasingly important. Here in this work, resiliency is defined as the systems ability to keep supplying critical loads even with multiple contingencies. Resiliency may depend on: (a) advanced tools to assist operators in situational awareness and decision making with the increasing volume of data generated by the PDS, (b) visualization and ease of interaction with system resources and information, especially during extreme events and resulting human operator stress, and (c) flexible resources and autonomous control. Operators and support engineers need to interact with the system for key information and take action under stress, given the requirement for decisions in a short time. Integrated technological solutions are prevailing steps to support the most appropriate decision during critical times to serve essential loads. In order to meet the required goals, a Real-time Resiliency Monitoring and Operational Decision Support (RT-RMOD) tool have been developed. It supports various functionalities, including real-time monitoring, resilience assessment, and proactive decision support. However, this work makes advanced feature additions to the tool by developing data-enabled resilience management algorithms for (i) outage detection and localization, (ii) Resiliency-metric driven restoration and reconfiguration, and (iii) NLP based digital assistant for operators called DINGO (DIgital assistaNt to Grid Operators) to interact with Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) and RT-RMOD. The developed algorithm was validated for multiple cases of weather events using a real-world, off-grid microgrid system modeled in a real-time simulator, sensor data, and software tools.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

2020 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Europe (ISGT-Europe)

Recent proliferation of distributed energy sources in distribution or sub-transmission systems necessitates close monitoring of these three-phase power grids which typically operate under unbalanced loading conditions. Unlike the transmission systems where the network equations are commonly based on the positive sequence component models, a detailed three phase model will have to be used in implementing network applications for these systems. In the specific case of the state estimator, where measurement and parameter errors may bias the solution, bad data and parameter error detection algorithms should also be incorporated. Implementing the state estimator and error detection algorithms for three-phase systems impose additional computational burden and modifications to the state estimation code. This paper proposes a practical solution to avoid these issues by using synchronized phasor measurements and modal decoupling. The previously developed parameter error detection algorithm based on the normalized Lagrange multipliers (NLM) test is applied to the measurements independently in each mode in parallel, not only saving CPU time but also avoiding new code development for a three-phase estimator. Different parameter error scenarios are created and tested to verify the effectiveness of the proposed error detection approach.

Khalili, Ramtin↗

Recent Beam Stability Analysis for the EIC

This document summarizes work done in WBS 6.02.02 during FY23. Additional details can be found in the EIC overview paper presented at IPAC’23 [1], and the references therein. Progress has been made in the ESR and HSR lattice design, dynamic aperture optimization, and the RCS lattice design. The impedance and Collective effects are progressing and include the impedance optimization process of the vacuum systems for RCS, HSR, and ESR; collective effects studies; collective effects and beam-beam interaction; coupled bunch instabilities and the crab cavities; low-level RF feedback system design and beam-ion instability. The reversed phasing RF system has been numerically studied for the ESR to mitigate Robinson instability and demonstrate reliable stable beam operation. Various codes, including C++, SPACE [2], ELEGANT [3], and Mbtrack2 [4] have been employed to benchmark the results. The simulation of HSR bunch splitting with beam loading has been performed at 275 GeV energy. The evaluation of Beam Position Monitors aimed to validate their expected performance, with the primary objective being to verify their accuracy. Calculations of Electron Polarization in the ESR, RCS, and HSR are showing good progress. In the RCS, preliminary studies indicate excellent polarization transmission over intrinsic spin resonances, achieving over 90% transmission with improved performance compared to the previous lattice. Preliminary simulations in the ESR indicate encouraging results in minimizing depolarization and improving equilibrium polarization.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Variable load automatically tests dc power supplies

Continuously variable load automatically tests dc power supplies over an extended current range. External meters monitor current and voltage, and multipliers at the outputs facilitate plotting the power curve of the unit.

Burke, H. C., Jr.↗

Stress relaxation and mechanical properties of RL-1973 and PD-200-16 silicone resin sponge materials

Stress relaxation tests were conducted by loading specimens in double-lap shear to a preselected strain level and monitoring the decay of stress with time. The stress relaxation response characteristics were measured over a temperature range of 100 to 300 K and four strain levels. It is concluded that only a slight amount of stress relaxation was observed, and the stiffness increased approximately two orders of magnitude over the range of temperatures.

Saylak, D.↗

Specification for a Program for an Interative Aeroelastic Solution (PIAS)

An engineering and software specification which was written for a computer program to calculate aeroelastic structural loads including the effects of nonlinear aerodynamics is presented. The procedure used in the program for an iterative aeroelastic solution (PIAS) is to alternately execute two computer codes: one to calculate aerodynamic loads for a specific wing shape, and another to calculate the deflected shape caused by this loading. A significant advantage to the design of PIAS is that the initial aerodynamic module can be replaced with others. The leading edge vortex (LEV) program is used as the aerodynamic module in PIAS. This provides the capability to calculate aeroelastic loads, including the effects of a separation induced leading edge vortex. The finite element method available in ATLAS Integrated structural analysis and design system is used to determine the deflected wing shape for the applied aerodynamics and inertia loads. The data management capabilities in ATLAS are used by the execution control monitor (ECM) of PIAS to control the solution process.

Manro, M. E.↗

Hygrothermal effects on mechanical behavior of graphite/epoxy laminates beyond initial failure

An investigation was conducted to determine the critical load levels and associated cracking beyond which a multidirectional laminate can be considered as structurally failed. Graphite/epoxy laminates were loaded to different strain levels up to ultimate failure. Transverse matrix cracking was monitored by acoustic and optical methods. Residual stiffness and strength that were parallel and perpendicular to the cracks were determined and related to the environmental/loading history. Results indicate that cracking density in the transverse layers has no major effect on laminate residual properties as long as the angle ply layers retain their structural integrity. Exposure to hot water revealed that cracking had only a small effect on absorption and reduced swelling when these specimens were compared with uncracked specimens. Cracked, moist specimens showed a moderate reduction in strength when compared with their uncracked counterparts. Within the range of environmental/loading conditions of the present study, it is concluded that the transverse cracking process is not crucial in its effect on the structural performance of multidirectional composite laminates.

Ishai, O.↗

Application of a peak-valley detector for secant stiffness measurements

A technique for monitoring the change in secant stiffness of composite specimens during cyclic-fatigue loading computes the secant modulus every five seconds. A resettable peak-valley detector, which captures and holds the maximum and minimum values of an input analog signal, is used in conjunction with a multichannel data acquisition unit. This detector is also used in conjunction with an analog switch to halt the cycling of the specimen after a certain degradation of stiffness develops for the application of NDE techniques. Results for a T300/5208 graphite-epoxy specimen are presented in the form of a stiffness vs number of cycles curve.

Stiffler, R.↗

Device for measuring hole elongation in a bolted joint

A device to determine the operable failure mode of mechanically fastened lightweight composite joints by measuring the hole elongation of a bolted joint is disclosed. The double-lap joint test apparatus comprises a stud, a test specimen having a hole, two load transfer plates, and linear displacement measuring instruments. The test specimen is sandwiched between the two load transfer plates and clamped together with the stud. Spacer washers are placed between the test specimen and each load transfer plate to provide a known, controllable area for the determination of clamping forces around the hole of the specimen attributable to bolt torque. The spacer washers also provide a gap for the mounting of reference angles on each side of the test specimen. Under tensile loading, elongation of the hole of the test specimen causes the stud to move away from the reference angles. This displacement is measured by the voltage output of two linear displacement measuring instruments that are attached to the stud and remain in contact with the reference angles throughout the tensile loading. The present invention obviates previous problems in obtaining specimen deformation measurements by monitoring the reference angles to the test specimen and the linear displacement measuring instruments to the stud.

Wichorek, Gregory R.↗

Environmental fatigue of an Al-Li-Cu alloy. Part 1: Intrinsic crack propagation kinetics in hydrogenous environments

Deleterious environmental effects on steady-state, intrinsic fatigue crack propagation (FCP) rates (da/dN) in peak aged Al-Li-Cu alloy 2090 are established by electrical potential monitoring of short cracks with programmed constant delta K and K(sub max) loading. The da/dN are equally unaffected by vacuum, purified helium, and oxygen but are accelerated in order of decreasing effectiveness by aqueous 1 percent NaCl with anodic polarization, pure water vapor, moist air, and NaCl with cathodic polarization. While da/dN depends on delta K(sup 4.0) for the inert gases, water vapor and chloride induced multiple power-laws, and a transition growth rate 'plateau'. Environmental effects are strongest at low delta K. Crack tip damage is ascribed to hydrogen embrittlement because of the following: (1) accelerated da/dN due to part-per-million levels of H2O without condensation; (2) impeded molecular flow model predictions of the measured water vapor pressure dependence of da/dN as affected by mean crack opening; (3) the lack of an effect of film-forming O2; (4) the likelihood for crack tip hydrogen production in NaCl, and (5) the environmental and delta K-process zone volume dependencies of the microscopic cracking modes. For NaCl, growth rates decrease with decreasing loading frequency, with the addition of passivating Li2CO3, and upon cathodic polarization. These variables increase crack surface film stability to reduce hydrogen entry efficiency. The hydrogen environmental FCP resistance of 2090 is similar to other 2000 series alloys and is better than 7075.

Piascik, Robert S.↗

Environmental fatigue of an Al-Li-Cu alloy. I - Intrinsic crack propagation kinetics in hydrogenous environments

Deleterious environmental effects on steady-state, intrinsic fatigue crack propagation (FCP) rates (da/dN) in peak aged Al-Li-Cu alloy 2090 are established by electrical potential monitoring of short cracks with programmed constant delta K and K(sub max) loading. The da/dN are equally unaffected by vacuum, purified helium, and oxygen but are accelerated in order of decreasing effectiveness of aqueous 1 percent NaCl with anodic polarization, pure water vapor, moist air, and NaCl with cathodic polarization. While da/dN depends on delta K(sup 4.0) for the inert gases, water vapor and chloride induced multiple power-laws, and a transition growth rate 'plateau'. Environmental effects are strongest at low delta K. Crack tip damage is ascribed to hydrogen embrittlement because of the following: (1) accelerated da/dN due to part-per-million levels of H2O without condensation; (2) impeded molecular flow model predictions of the measured water vapor pressure dependence of da/dN as affected by mean crack opening; (3) the lack of an effect of film-forming O2; (4) the likelihood for crack tip hydrogen production in NaCl; and (5) the environmental and delta K-process zone volume dependencies of the microscopic cracking modes. For NaCl, growth rates decrease with decreasing loading frequency, with the addition of passivating Li2CO3, and upon cathodic polarization. These variables increase crack surface film stability to reduce hydrogen entry efficiency. The hydrogen environmental FCP resistance of 2090 is similar to other 2000 series alloys and is better than 7075.

Piascik, Robert S.↗

Damage mechanisms in three-dimensional woven reinforced ceramic matrix composites under tensile and flexural loading at room and elevated temperatures

Three-dimensional Nicalon SiC/SiC matrix composites made through a chemical vapor infiltration process were studied under tensile and flexural loading at 23, 1200, and 1550 C in air. In situ damage accumulation monitoring NDE techniques were utilized to identify failure mechanisms in these materials. The effectiveness and durability of a chemical vapor deposition SiC surface coating were also evaluated in severe oxidizing environment. Results show that the failure response was very similar for the 23 and 1200 C specimens, while at 1550 C there were significant changes in both the composite mechanical behavior and the matrix microstructure. Extensive fiber pull-out was observed only in the 1550 C specimen. It is also found that the SiC surface coating can protect the composite up to the critical matrix cracking strength.

Chulya, Abhisak↗

Automated Operations for Galileo Communications

Following the deployment failure of Galileo's high gain antenna, the downlink had to be redesigned so as to effectively use the low gain antenna. The downlink was redesigned to maximize the data return and increase the reliability which required the reconfiguration of the onboard software and the deep space network. The revised downlink features: data compression; antenna arraying; the recoding and reprocessing of telemetry; suppressed carrier tracking, and error-correction coding. The deep space network Galileo telemetry (DGT) subsystem was developed and deployed at three sites in Australia, Spain and the U.S. The DGT was designed as an automated system that continuously monitors and adjusts its parameters and environment in response to either pre-loaded sequences or changes in the internal status.

Statman, Joseph I.↗

Planning for Crew Exercise for Future Deep Space Mission Scenarios

Providing the necessary exercise capability to protect crew health for deep space missions will bring new sets of engineering and research challenges. Exercise has been found to be a necessary mitigation for maintaining crew health on‐orbit and preparing the crew for return to earth's gravity. Health and exercise data from Apollo, Space Lab, Shuttle, and International Space Station missions have provided insight into crew deconditioning and the types of activities that can minimize the impacts of microgravity on the physiological systems. The hardware systems required to implement exercise can be challenging to incorporate into spaceflight vehicles. Exercise system design requires encompassing the hardware required to provide mission specific anthropometrical movement ranges, desired loads, and frequencies of desired movements as well as the supporting control and monitoring systems, crew and vehicle interfaces, and vibration isolation and stabilization subsystems. The number of crew and operational constraints also contribute to defining the what exercise systems will be needed. All of these features require flight vehicle mass and volume integrated with multiple vehicle systems. The International Space Station exercise hardware requires over 1,800 kg of equipment and over 24 m3 of volume for hardware and crew operational space. Improvements towards providing equivalent or better capabilities with a smaller vehicle impact will facilitate future deep space missions. Deep space missions will require more understanding of the physiological responses to microgravity, understanding appropriate mitigations, designing the exercise systems to provide needed mitigations, and integrating effectively into vehicle design with a focus to support planned mission scenarios. Recognizing and addressing the constraints and challenges can facilitate improved vehicle design and exercise system incorporation.

Moore, Cherice↗