Development of a system for biaxial prestressing brittle materials
Strengthening zirconia with discontinuous tungsten graphite, sapphire, and silicon carbide fibers
Greszczuk, L. B.↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “PRESTRESSING”
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Cryogenically formed prestressed composite fiber-metal structures for O2/N2 high pressure gas tanks.
Demonstration of high-structural-performance ARDEFORM cryoformed 301 stainless-steel glass-fiber-reinforced (GFR) vessels by room temperature tests of 13 1/2-in. diam spheres. Tests verified that the structural performance of ARDEFORM spherical GFR vessels not only exceeded that of all metal construction, but also bettered previous GFR experimental results by 50%. Achievement of essentially the full strength of fiberglass in a spherical wrap pattern was again verified. Significant weight advantages for this construction are projected for O2/N2 high-pressure gas tanks for Space Shuttle environmental control/life support system missions.
Gleich, D.↗
Design optimization of prestressed concrete spans for high speed ground transportation.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Touma, A.↗
Study on prestressed concrete reactor vessel structures. II-5: Crack analysis by three dimensional finite elements method of 1/20 multicavity type PCRV subjected to internal pressure
A three-dimensional finite elements analysis is reported of the nonlinear behavior of PCRV subjected to internal pressure by comparing calculated results with test results. As the first stage, an analysis considering the nonlinearity of cracking in concrete was attempted. As a result, it is found possible to make an analysis up to three times the design pressure (50 kg/sqcm), and calculated results agree well with test results.
Source record↗
Vibration of prestressed periodic lattice structures
Equations are developed for vibration of general lattice structures that have repetitive geometry. The method of solution is an extension of a previous paper for buckling of similar structures. The theory is based on representing each member of the structure with the exact dynamic stiffness matrix and taking advantage of the repetitive geometry to obtain an eigenvalue problem involving the degrees-of-freedom at a single node in the lattice. Results are given for shell-and beam-like lattice structures and for rings stiffened with tension cables and a central mast. The variation of frequency with external loading and the effect of local member vibration on overall modes is shown.
Anderson, M. S.↗
Vibration mode shape control by prestressing
A procedure is described for reducing vibration at sensitive locations on a structure, by induced distortions. The emphasis is placed on the excitation in a narrow frequency band, so that only a small number of vibration modes contribute to the intensity of the forced response. The procedure is demonstrated on an antenna truss example, showing that, with repeated frequencies, it is very easy to move nodal lines of one of the modes.
Holnicki-Szulc, Jan↗
Control of resonant frequencies in adaptive structures by prestressing
The natural vibration frequencies of a structure can be affected by inducing stress in the structure. The success of this kind of control of the resonant frequencies of a truss structure depends on the geometry of the structure. It is shown that in adaptive truss structures the method is effective for vibrations in less stiff directions, such as the normal direction of the plane containing all of the bars of a node, suggesting its applicability for cable, membrane, and thin plate and shell structures.
Baycan, Can M.↗
Cell prestress. II. Contribution of microtubules
The tensegrity model hypothesizes that cytoskeleton-based microtubules (MTs) carry compression as they balance a portion of cell contractile stress. To test this hypothesis, we used traction force microscopy to measure traction at the interface of adhering human airway smooth muscle cells and a flexible polyacrylamide gel substrate. The prediction is that if MTs balance a portion of contractile stress, then, upon their disruption, the portion of stress balanced by MTs would shift to the substrate, thereby causing an increase in traction. Measurements were done first in maximally activated cells (10 microM histamine) and then again after MTs had been disrupted (1 microM colchicine). We found that after disruption of MTs, traction increased on average by approximately 13%. Because in activated cells colchicine induced neither an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) nor an increase in myosin light chain phosphorylation as shown previously, we concluded that the observed increase in traction was a result of load shift from MTs to the substrate. In addition, energy stored in the flexible substrate was calculated as work done by traction on the deformation of the substrate. This result was then utilized in an energetic analysis. We assumed that cytoskeleton-based MTs are slender elastic rods supported laterally by intermediate filaments and that MTs buckle as the cell contracts. Using the post-buckling equilibrium theory of Euler struts, we found that energy stored during buckling of MTs was quantitatively consistent with the measured increase in substrate energy after disruption of MTs. This is further evidence supporting the idea that MTs are intracellular compression-bearing elements.
Non-NASA Center↗
Monolithic prestressed ceramic devices and method for making same
Monolithic, internally asymmetrically stress biased electrically active ceramic devices and a method for making same is disclosed. The first step in the method of the present invention is to fabricate a ceramic element having first and second opposing surfaces. Next, only the first surface is chemically reduced by heat treatment in a reducing atmosphere. This produces a concave shaped, internally asymmetrically stress biased ceramic element and an electrically conducting, chemically reduced layer on the first surface which serves as one of the electrodes of the device. Another electrode can be deposited on the second surface to complete the device. In another embodiment of the present invention two dome shaped ceramic devices can be placed together to form a completed clamshell structure or an accordion type structure. In a further embodiment, the clamshell or accordion type structures can be placed on top of one another. In another embodiment, a pair of dome shaped ceramic devices having opposing temperature characteristics can be placed on top of each other to produce an athermalized ceramic device.
Haertling, Gene H.↗
Prestressing Shock Resistant Mechanical Components and Mechanisms Made from Hard, Superelastic Materials
A method and an apparatus confer full superelastic properties to the active surface of a mechanical component constructed of a superelastic material prior to service. A compressive load is applied to the active surface of the mechanical component followed by removing the compressive load from the active surface whereby substantially all load strain is recoverable after applying and removing of subsequent compressive loads.
DellaCorte, Christopher↗
Finite element thermal-structural analysis of cable-stiffened space structues
Finite element thermal-structural analyses of large, cable-stiffened space structures are presented. A computational scheme for the calculation of prestresses in the cable-stiffened structures is also described. The determination of thermal loads on orbiting space structures due to environment heating is discussed briefly. Three finite element structural analysis techniques are presented for the analysis of prestressed structures. Linear, stress stiffening, and large displacement analysis techniques were investigated. These three techniques were employed for analysis of prestressed cable structures at different prestress levels. The analyses produced similar results at small prestress, but at higher prestress, differences between the results became significant. For the cable-stiffened structures studied, the linear analysis technique may not provide acceptable results. The stress stiffening analysis technique may yield results of acceptable accuracy depending upon the level of prestress. The large displacement analysis technique produced accurate results over a wide range of prestress and is recommended as a general analysis technique for thermal-structural analysis of cable-stiffened space structures.
Thornton, E. A.↗
A microstructural approach to cytoskeletal mechanics based on tensegrity
Mechanical properties of living cells are commonly described in terms of the laws of continuum mechanics. The purpose of this report is to consider the implications of an alternative approach that emphasizes the discrete nature of stress bearing elements in the cell and is based on the known structural properties of the cytoskeleton. We have noted previously that tensegrity architecture seems to capture essential qualitative features of cytoskeletal shape distortion in adherent cells (Ingber, 1993a; Wang et al., 1993). Here we extend those qualitative notions into a formal microstructural analysis. On the basis of that analysis we attempt to identify unifying principles that might underlie the shape stability of the cytoskeleton. For simplicity, we focus on a tensegrity structure containing six rigid struts interconnected by 24 linearly elastic cables. Cables carry initial tension ("prestress") counterbalanced by compression of struts. Two cases of interconnectedness between cables and struts are considered: one where they are connected by pin-joints, and the other where the cables run through frictionless loops at the junctions. At the molecular level, the pinned structure may represent the case in which different cytoskeletal filaments are cross-linked whereas the looped structure represents the case where they are free to slip past one another. The system is then subjected to uniaxial stretching. Using the principal of virtual work, stretching force vs. extension and structural stiffness vs. stretching force relationships are calculated for different prestresses. The stiffness is found to increase with increasing prestress and, at a given prestress, to increase approximately linearly with increasing stretching force. This behavior is consistent with observations in living endothelial cells exposed to shear stresses (Wang & Ingber, 1994). At a given prestress, the pinned structure is found to be stiffer than the looped one, a result consistent with data on mechanical behavior of isolated, cross-linked and uncross-linked actin networks (Wachsstock et al., 1993). On the basis of our analysis we concluded that architecture and the prestress of the cytoskeleton might be key features that underlie a cell's ability to regulate its shape.
NASA Discipline Cell Biology↗
A mathematical basis for the design and design optimization of adaptive trusses in precision control
A mathematical basis for the optimal design of adaptive trusses to be used in supporting precision equipment is provided. The general theory of adaptive structures is introduced, and the global optimization problem of placing a limited number, q, of actuators, so as to maximally achieve precision control and provide prestress, is stated. Two serialized optimization problems, namely, optimal actuator placement for prestress and optimal actuator placement for precision control, are addressed. In the case of prestressing, the computation of a 'desired' prestress is discussed, the interaction between actuators and redundants in conveying the prestress is shown in its mathematical form, and a methodology for arriving at the optimal placement of actuators and additional redundants is discussed. With regard to precision control, an optimal placement scheme (for q actuators) for maximum 'authority' over the precision points is suggested. The results of the two serialized optimization problems are combined to give a suboptimal solution to the global optimization problem. A method for improving this suboptimal actuator placement scheme by iteration is presented.
Das, S. K.↗
Thin Layer Composite Unimorph Ferroelectric Driver and Sensor
A method for forming ferroelectric wafers is provided. A prestress layer is placed on the desired mold. A ferroelectric wafer is placed on top of the prestress layer. The layers are heated and then cooled, causing the ferroelectric wafer to become prestressed. The prestress layer may include reinforcing material and the ferroelectric wafer may include electrodes or electrode layers may be placed on either side of the ferroelectric layer. Wafers produced using this method have greatly improved output motion.
Helbaum, Richard F.↗
The Effects of Compressive Preloads on the Compression-After-Impact Strength of Carbon/Epoxy
A fixture to apply compressive loads to composite specimens during an impact event was used to assess the effect of prestresses on the compression-after-impact (CAI) strength of 16 ply quasi-isotropic carbon/epoxy test coupons. Advanced design of experiments techniques were used to evaluate a range of prestresses and impact energies on two material systems, T300/934 and IM7/8551-7. An instrumented drop tower supplied impact energies between 1 and 9 Joules for the T300/934 material and between 4 and 16 Joules for the IM7/8551-7 material. The prestress values varied between a low of 5.7 Wa and a high of 287 NDa. Results showed some change in CAI strength that could be attributed to the prestresses on the specimens.
Nettles, Alan T.↗
Thin Layer Composite Unimorph Ferroelectric Driver and Sensor
A method for forming ferroelectric wafers is provided. A prestress layer is placed on the desired mold. A ferroelectric wafer is placed on top of the prestress layer. The layers are heated and then cooled causing the ferroelectric wafer to become prestressed. The prestress layer may include reinforcing material and the ferroelectric wafer may include electrodes or electrode layers may be placed on either side of the ferroelectric layer. Wafers produced using this method have greatly improved output motion.
Hellbaum, Richard F.↗
Thin layer composite unimorph ferroelectric driver and sensor
A method for forming ferroelectric wafers is provided. A prestress layer is placed on the desired mold. A ferroelectric wafer is placed on top of the prestress layer. The layers are heated and then cooled, causing the ferroelectric wafer to become prestressed. The prestress layer may include reinforcing material and the ferroelectric wafer may include electrodes or electrode layers may be placed on either side of the ferroelectric layer. Wafers produced using this method have greatly improved output motion.
Hellbaum, Richard F.↗
Evaluation of the Behavior of Technova Corporation Rod-Stiffened Stitched Compression Specimens
Under Space Act Agreement 1347 between NASA and Technova Corporation, Technova designed and fabricated two carbon-epoxy crippling specimens and NASA loaded them to failure in axial compression. Each specimen contained a pultruded rod stiffener which was held to the specimen skin with through-the-thickness stitches. One of these specimens was designed to be nominally the same as pultruded rod stitched specimens fabricated by Boeing under previous programs. In the other specimen, the rod was prestressed in a Technova manufacturing process to increase its ability to carrying compressive loading. Experimental results demonstrated that the specimen without prestressing carried approximately the same load as the similar Boeing specimens and that the specimen with prestressing carried significantly more load than the specimen without prestressing.
Jegley, Dawn C.↗