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At least 55 records · Page 3

COWALKER:EFFECTIVE TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS

SF-23-026 This software computes effective transport properties of composite materials involving fibers and nanoparticles using a random-walk algorithm that efficiently scales to an arbitrary number of processes and cores. Effective transport properties (thermal, electrical) are key to bridge the microstructure of complex materials with its macroscopic behavior. Traditional approaches either use effective medium approximations (closed mathematical expressions that are approximation for certain conditions) or continuum simulation models such as finite element or finite volume, which require the generation of a mesh for each configuration explored. cowalker leverages the equivalence between laplacian or heat equation-based models and random walks to compute the asymptotic transport properties from an ensemble of first sojourn times of a random walker moving through the composite material. This allows us to directly define a composite material as a collection of particles and use algorithms developed for molecular dynamics to quickly compute the intersection of the walker with the different interfaces in the material. cowalker is developed in C++, and it relies on the GNU Scientific Library for random generation. cowalker is currently delivered as source code, so the GSL library is not included in cowalker's distribution. A more userfriendly version, cowalker.jl is currently in development and will be released as part of cowalker.

YANGUAS-GIL, ANGEL↗

Effective thermal property improves phase change paint data

The phase-change coating technique presents itself as a valuable tool in determining the heat transfer rate over the surface of small complex wind tunnel models. A numerical technique is described which shows that an effective thermophysical property - the square root of the product of thermal conductivity, density, and specific heat - may significantly improve the accuracy of the phase-change coating technique with allowance for model inhomogeneity and temperature dependency in a transient environment. Results of the measured steady-state variation of the effective thermophysical property with temperature and the effect of surface heating rate on the effective thermophysical property are plotted for a representative homogeneous model material and for an extreme nonhomogeneous model material. The use of an effective thermophysical property to reduce phase-change paint data is recommended. The analysis also confirms that the apparatus described by Corwin and Kramer (1975) can be used to measure directly this effective thermophysical property for use in wind tunnel model heat-transfer measurements.

Drummond, J. P.↗

Isomer effects on polyimide properties

The effect of structure variation on the solubility and glass-transition temperature of polyimide polymers is investigated. The addition of alkyl substituents to an aromatic ring in the polymer molecule, the reduction in the number of imide rings per average polymer chain-length, and a variation in the symmetry of the polymer molecule are studied. The synthesis of key intermediates for the preparation of the monomers required in this investigation is reported along with progress made in the synthesis of polyimide-precursor amines that contain functional groups to allow for post-cure cross-linking.

Stump, B. L.↗

Microdistribution of oxygen in silicon and its effects on electronic properties

The effects of interstitial oxygen on the electrical characteristics of Czochralski-grown silicon crystals were investigated for the first time on a microscale. It was found that the generation of thermal donors is not a direct function of the oxygen concentration. It was further found that the minority carrier life-time decreases with increasing oxygen concentration, on a microscale in as-grown crystals. It was thus shown, again for the first time, that oxygen in as grown crystals is not electronically inert as generally believed. Preannealing at 1200 C commonly employed in device fabrication, was found to suppress the donor generation at 450 C and to decrease the deep level concentrations.

Gatos, H. C.↗

Estimation of Effective Elastic Properties of General Multifunctional Honeycomb Structures Using a Unit Cell Method

Sandwich composite structures are ideal configurations in which to incorporate additional functionality beyond load carrying capabilities. The inner core can be layered to facilitate other functions such as power storage for a battery. In this work we investigate an assemblage of analytical tools to compute effective properties that allow complex layered core architectures to be homogenized into a single continuum layer. This provides a great increase in computational efficiency to numerically simulate the structural response of multifunctional sandwich structures under applied loads.

Krishnamurthy, T.↗

An Analytical Method to Calculate Effective Elastic Properties of General Multifunctional Honeycomb Cores in Sandwich Composites

Sandwich composite structures are ideal configurations in which to incorporate additional functionality beyond load-carrying capabilities. The inner core-walls can be layered to incorporate other functions such as power storage for a battery. In this work we investigate an assemblage of analytical tools to compute effective properties that allow complex layered core architectures to be homogenized into a single continuum layer. This provides a great increase in computational efficiency to numerically simulate the structural response of multifunctional sandwich structures under applied loads. We present a coupled analytical method including an extensive numerical verification of the accuracy of this method.

Sather, Erik↗

Hygrothermal and strain-rate effects on properties of graphite/epoxy composites

The combined effects of moisture (M), temperature (T), and strain rate (SR) on the properties of the unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite AS4/3501-6 are investigated experimentally. Longitudinal tensile, in-plane shear, and transverse tensile specimens with moisture content 0 or 1 percent were characterized using standard mechanical tests and the techniques described by Yaniv et al. (1987) at temperatures 23-128 C and strain rates from 5 x 10 to the -6th/sec to 5/sec. The results are presented in graphs and discussed in detail. The longitudinal properties of the composite were found to be generally unaffected by changes in the parameters, whereas transverse and interlaminar properties decreased with increasing T and M at constant SR and the transverse and in-plane shear moduli increased with SR. A time-T-M equivalence principle is used to derive master curves for all the matrix-dominated properties, expressed in terms of a two-variable shift function.

Daniel, I. M.↗

Silicon Effects on Properties of Melt Infiltrated SiC/SiC Composites

Silicon effects on tensile and creep properties, and thermal conductivity of Hi-Nicalon SiC/SiC composites have been investigated. The composites consist of 8 layers of 5HS 2-D woven preforms of BN/SiC coated Hi-Nicalon fiber mats and a silicon matrix, or a mixture of silicon matrix and SiC particles. The Hi-Nicalon SiC/silicon and Hi-Nicalon SiC/SiC composites contained about 24 and 13 vol% silicon, respectively. Results indicate residual silicon up to 24 vol% has no significant effect on creep and thermal conductivity, but does decrease the primary elastic modulus and stress corresponding to deviation from linear stress-strain behavior.

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.↗

The effect of property changes on jet fuel producibility and cost

An investigation of the effect of property relaxation on jet A producibility and cost in the U.S. has been completed under NASA sponsorship by Exxon Research and Engineering Company. This presentation reviews the results obtained. Linear programming optimization models have been used. Model input included petroleum product demand and property data, estimates of crude qualities, and information on refinery processes. The time period considered was 1978 to 2010.

Varga, G. M., Jr.↗

Multi-Scale Analysis of Effective Mechanical Properties of Porous 3D Woven Composite Materials

This work aims to compute and analyze the mechanical properties of 3D woven composite materials that share the same yarn structure but differ in their matrix porosity and yarn's fiber volume fraction. Assuming linear elastic behavior, NASA's PuMA software was used to characterize the different composites from their constituents' data, averaging their elastic properties in three main directions to obtain their effective orthotropic mechanical properties. This was performed in three steps: firstly, the porous matrix phase was analyzed at the micro-scale; then, these results were used, along with the mechanical properties of the fibers, to model the yarns at the meso-scale; finally, results from the constituents were homogenized and used to model the mechanical behavior of the unit cell at the macro-scale. The 3D woven composite materials selected for this study are made of a mixture of phenolic resin with porosity values between 0 and 0.6, and infiltrated carbon fiber yarns with fiber volume fractions between 0.5 and 0.8. Results from this study show the effect of different matrix porosities and fiber volume fractions on the macro-scale mechanical properties, and were validated through theoretical and semi-empirical expressions found in the literature.

3D woven materials↗

Investigation of Effective Material Properties of Stony Meteorites

To assess the threat posed by an asteroid entering Earth's atmosphere, one must predict if, when, and how it fragments during entry. A comprehensive understanding of the Asteroid material properties is needed to achieve this objective. At present, the meteorite material found on Earth are the only objects from an entering asteroid that can be used as representative material and be tested inside a laboratory setting. Therefore, unit cell models are developed to determine the effective material properties of stony meteorites and in turn deduce the properties of asteroids. The unit cell is representative volume that accounts for diverse minerals, porosity, and matrix composition inside a meteorite. The various classes under investigation includes H-class, L-class, and LL-class chondrites. The effective mechanical properties such as Young's Modulus and Poisson's Ratio of the unit cell are calculated by performing several hundreds of Monte-Carlo simulations. Terrestrial analogs such as Basalt and Gabbro are being used to validate the unit cell methodology.

Asteroids↗

Investigation of Effective Material Properties of Stony Meteorites

To assess the threat posed by an asteroid entering Earths atmosphere, one must predict if, when, and how it fragments during entry. A comprehensive understanding of the Asteroid material properties is needed to achieve this objective. At present, the meteorite material found on earth are the only objects from an entering asteroid that can be used as representative material and be tested inside a laboratory setting. Therefore, unit cell models are developed to determine the effective material properties of stony meteorites and in turn deduce the properties of asteroids. The unit cell is representative volume that accounts for diverse minerals porosity, and matrix composition inside a meteorite. The various classes under investigation includes H-class, L-class, and LL-class chondrites. The effective mechanical properties such as Young's Modulus and Poisson's Ratio of the unit cell are calculated by performing several hundreds of Monte-Carlo simulations. Terrestrial analogs such as Basalt and Gabbro are being used to validate the unit cell methodology.

Agrawal, Parul↗

Multi-Scale Analysis of Effective Mechanical Properties of 3D Woven Composite Materials

This work aims to compute and analyze the mechanical properties of 3D woven composite materials that share the same yarn structure but differ in their matrix porosity and fiber volume fraction. Assuming linear elastic behavior, the software PuMA, developed at NASA, was used to characterize the different composites from their constituents' data averaging their elastic properties in three main directions to obtain their effective orthotropic mechanical properties. This was performed in three steps: firstly, the different phases (yarns/matrix) were analyzed as anisotropic materials separately at the micro-scale; then, the results from these analyses were homogenized and used to obtain the anisotropic elasticity tensor at the meso-scale for the different woven materials; and finally, assuming orthotropic mechanical behavior for the unit cell the mechanical properties were obtained at the macro-scale. The 3D woven composite materials selected for this study are made of phenolic resin with porosity values between 0 and 0.6, and resin infiltrated carbon fiber with volume fractions between 0.5 and 0.9 for the yarns. Results from PuMA were validated with external FEA simulations for the non-porous 3D woven material with a fiber volume fraction of 0.9 in the yarns. Results will be included in the final paper after completing the study detailed in Section II.

Sergio Fraile Izquierdo↗

Herbicide treatment effects on properties of mountain big sagebrush soils after fourteen years

The effects of sagebrush conversion on the soil properties of a high-elevation portion of the Western Intermountain Sagebrush Steppe (West, 1983) are described. Changes were found in only a few soil chemical properties after conversion to grassland. It was found that surface concentrations of N were lower under grass vegetation than under undisturbed vegetation. Undershrub net N mineralization rates were higher under shrubs in the sagebrush vegetation than under former shrubs in the grass vegetation.

Burke, I. C.↗

Thermal Exposure Effects on Properties of Al-Li Alloy Plate Products

Aluminum-Lithium (AL-Li) alloys offer significant performance benefits for aerospace structural applications due to their higher specific properties compared with conventional aluminum alloys. For example, the application of an Al-Li alloy to the space shuttle external cryogenic fuel tank contributed to the weight savings that enabled successful deployment of International Space Station components. The composition and heat treatment of this alloy were optimized specifically for strength-toughness considerations for an expendable cryogenic tank. Time dependent properties related to reliability, such as thermal stability, fatigue, and corrosion, will be of significant interest when materials are evaluated for a reusable cryotank structure. As most aerospace structural hardware is weight sensitive, a reusable cryotank will be designed to the limits of the materials mechanical properties. Therefore, this effort was designed to establish the effects of thermal exposure on the mechanical properties and microstructure of one relatively production mature alloy and two developmental alloys C458 and L277. Tensile and fracture toughness behavior was evaluated after exposure to temperatures as high as 3oooF for up to IO00 hrs. Microstructural changes were also evaluated to correlate with the observed data trends. The ambient temperature parent metal data showed an increase in strength and reduction in elongation after exposure at lower temperatures. Strength reached a peak with intermediate temperature exposure followed by a decrease at highest exposure temperature. Characterizing the effect of thermal exposure on the properties of Al-Li alloys is important to defining a service limiting temperature, exposure time, and end-of-life properties.

Shah, Sandeep↗

Feasibility of using LANDSAT images of vegetation cover to estimate effective hydraulic properties of soils

Research activities conducted from February 1, 1985 to July 31, 1985 and preliminary conclusions regarding research objectives are summarized. The objective is to determine the feasibility of using LANDSAT data to estimate effective hydraulic properties of soils. The general approach is to apply the climatic-climax hypothesis (Ealgeson, 1982) to natural water-limited vegetation systems using canopy cover estimated from LANDSAT data. Natural water-limited systems typically consist of inhomogeneous vegetation canopies interspersed with bare soils. The ground resolution associated with one pixel from LANDSAT MSS (or TM) data is generally greater than the scale of the plant canopy or canopy clusters. Thus a method for resolving percent canopy cover at a subpixel level must be established before the Eagleson hypothesis can be tested. Two formulations are proposed which extend existing methods of analyzing mixed pixels to naturally vegetated landscapes. The first method involves use of the normalized vegetation index. The second approach is a physical model based on radiative transfer principles. Both methods are to be analyzed for their feasibility on selected sites.

Eagleson, P. S.↗

International Workshop on Stratospheric Aerosols: Measurements, Properties, and Effects

Following a mandate by the International Aerosol Climatology Program under the auspices of International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics International Radiation Commission, 45 scientists from five nations convened to discuss relevant issues associated with the measurement, properties, and effects of stratospheric aerosols. A summary is presented of the discussions on formation and evolution, transport and fate, effects on climate, role in heterogeneous chemistry, and validation of lidar and satellite remote sensing of stratospheric aerosols. Measurements are recommended of the natural (background) and the volcanically enhanced aerosol (sulfuric acid and silica particles), the exhaust of shuttle, civil aviation and supersonic aircraft operations (alumina, soot, and ice particles), and polar stratospheric clouds (ice, condensed nitric and hydrochloric acids).

Pueschel, Rudolf F.↗