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At least 55 records · Page 3

Overset Grid Methods for Multidisciplinary Applications in Rotorcraft Problems

A methodology for the coupling of an advanced computational fluid dynamics method based on an overset grid flow-solver and an advanced computational structural dynamics method based on a finite element analysis is presented. Various procedures for the fluid-structure interactions modeling along with their limitations are also discussed. The flight test data for the four-bladed UH-60A Blackhawk helicopter rotor is chosen for the validation of the results. Convergence and accuracy are tested by numerical experiments with a single-bladed rotor. A comparison of airload predictions with flight test data as well as with a rigid blade case is presented. Grid and interpolation related issues for this aeroelastic application are described.

Ahmad, J. U.↗

A modal combination computer program for dynamic analysis of structures

Computer program determines the response of a composite linear structure to sinusoidal base motion of a restrained structure or sinusoidal forces of a free structure. This program is applied to problems of testing practices and closed-loop stability of autopilot controlled space vehicles. It is written for the IBM 7094 in FORTRAN 4 language.

Bamford, R. M.↗

Crash simulation of composite and aluminum helicopter fuselages using a finite-element program

This paper describes a mathematical investigation of the crash-impact responses of an all-composite helicopter cockpit section incorporating an energy absorbing concept and one of conventional aluminum construction, using the Grumman DYCAST finite-element nonlinear structural dynamics computer program. The overall objective of this initial investigation was to explore the application of DYCAST to the design of future helicopter structures. The specific purposes are to assess the value of the finite-element code as a crashworthiness design analysis tool, and to compare the responses of the two fuselage sections. The results indicate that the finite-element simulation is a powerful analysis tool, providing sufficient detail to evaluate individual structural components, and that the crashworthiness of an all-composite cockpit section could be enhanced with energy-absorbing concepts

Winter, R.↗

Use of HART-II Measured Motion in CFD

This presentation examines the use of HART-II measured rotor blade motion in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Historically, comprehensive analyses were used for input to acoustic calculations. These analyses focused on lifting line aerodynamics and beam models. However, there is a a need to evolve lifting line aerodynamics to first principles, notably the use of CFD instead of lifting line. The current analysis focuses on CFD and computational structural dynamics (CSD) coupling. Beam models are still very good (CSD is typically from comprehensive analysis), but generally CFD replaced aerodynamics in comprehensive analysis. This presentation examines both CFD and CSD individually and includes predictions using measured motion as well as predictions using measured motion versus coupled motion and calculations of "correct" airloads, noise and vibration.

Boyd, D. Douglas, Jr.↗

Developments and Validations of Fully Coupled CFD and Practical Vortex Transport Method for High-Fidelity Wake Modeling in Fixed and Rotary Wing Applications

A novel Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) coupling framework using a conventional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (BANS) solver to resolve the near-body flow field and a Particle-based Vorticity Transport Method (PVTM) to predict the evolution of the far field wake is developed, refined, and evaluated for fixed and rotary wing cases. For the rotary wing case, the RANS/PVTM modules are loosely coupled to a Computational Structural Dynamics (CSD) module that provides blade motion and vehicle trim information. The PVTM module is refined by the addition of vortex diffusion, stretching, and reorientation models as well as an efficient memory model. Results from the coupled framework are compared with several experimental data sets (a fixed-wing wind tunnel test and a rotary-wing hover test).

Anusonti-Inthra, Phuriwat↗

A model of rotationally-sampled wind turbulence for predicting fatigue loads in wind turbines

Empirical equations are presented with which to model rotationally-sampled (R-S) turbulence for input to structural-dynamic computer codes and the calculation of wind turbine fatigue loads. These equations are derived from R-S turbulence data which were measured at the vertical-plane array in Clayton, New Mexico. For validation, the equations are applied to the calculation of cyclic flapwise blade loads for the NASA/DOE Mod-2 2.5-MW experimental HAWT's (horizontal-axis wind turbines), and the results compared to measured cyclic loads. Good correlation is achieved, indicating that the R-S turbulence model developed in this study contains the characteristics of the wind which produce many of the fatigue loads sustained by wind turbines. Empirical factors are included which permit the prediction of load levels at specified percentiles of occurrence, which is required for the generation of fatigue load spectra and the prediction of the fatigue lifetime of structures.

Spera, David A.↗

Applications of the hybrid coordinate method to the TOPS autopilot

Preliminary results are presented from the application of the hybrid coordinate method to modeling TOPS (thermoelectric outer planet spacecraft) structural dynamics. Computer simulated responses of the vehicle are included which illustrate the interaction of relatively flexible appendages with an autopilot control system. Comparisons were made between simplified single-axis models of the control loop, with spacecraft flexibility represented by hinged rigid bodies, and a very detailed three-axis spacecraft model whose flexible portions are described by modal coordinates. While single-axis system, root loci provided reasonable qualitative indications of stability margins in this case, they were quantitatively optimistic when matched against responses of the detailed model.

Fleischer, G. E.↗

Robot graphic simulation testbed

The objective of this research was twofold. First, the basic capabilities of ROBOSIM (graphical simulation system) were improved and extended by taking advantage of advanced graphic workstation technology and artificial intelligence programming techniques. Second, the scope of the graphic simulation testbed was extended to include general problems of Space Station automation. Hardware support for 3-D graphics and high processing performance make high resolution solid modeling, collision detection, and simulation of structural dynamics computationally feasible. The Space Station is a complex system with many interacting subsystems. Design and testing of automation concepts demand modeling of the affected processes, their interactions, and that of the proposed control systems. The automation testbed was designed to facilitate studies in Space Station automation concepts.

Cook, George E.↗

Multidisciplinary computational aerosciences

As the challenges of single disciplinary computational physics are met, such as computational fluid dynamics, computational structural mechanics, computational propulsion, computational aeroacoustics, computational electromagnetics, etc., scientists have begun investigating the combination of these single disciplines into what is being called multidisciplinary computational aerosciences (MCAS). The combination of several disciplines not only offers simulation realism but also formidable computational challenges. The solution of such problems will require computers orders of magnitude larger than those currently available. Such computer power can only be supplied by massively parallel machines because of the current speed-of-light limitation of conventional serial systems. Even with such machines, MCAS problems will require hundreds of hours for their solution. To efficiently utilize such a machine, research is required in three areas that include parallel architectures, systems software, and applications software. The main emphasis of this paper is the applications software element. Examples that demonstrate application software for multidisciplinary problems currently being solved at NASA Ames Research Center are presented. Pacing items for MCAS are discussed such as solution methodology, physical modeling, computer power, and multidisciplinary validation experiments.

Kutler, Paul↗

Dynamics of Orbital Masses in an Unbalanced Rotor

Historically, orbital masses have been used as automatic balancers in rotating machines. However, in these applications, the masses are free to move and rotate with the rotor from zero to operating speeds. For gas turbine applications it is desirable for the orbital masses to be fixed and unmoving, until their release from a sudden unbalance at the operating speed, such as occurs from a blade-out event. The objective of this work is to develop the dynamical equations of motion for orbital masses on a rotating shaft. In subsequent work these equations will be incorporated into a rotor structural dynamics computer code and the feasibility of attenuating rotor unbalance response with orbital masses will be investigated.

Gallardo, Vicente↗

Modularization and Validation of FUN3D as a CREATE-AV Helios Near-Body Solver

Under a recent collaborative effort between the US Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate (AFDD) and NASA Langley, NASA's general unstructured CFD solver, FUN3D, was modularized as a CREATE-AV Helios near-body unstructured grid solver. The strategies adopted in Helios/FUN3D integration effort are described. A validation study of the new capability is performed for rotorcraft cases spanning hover prediction, airloads prediction, coupling with computational structural dynamics, counter-rotating dual-rotor configurations, and free-flight trim. The integration of FUN3D, along with the previously integrated NASA OVERFLOW solver, lays the ground for future interaction opportunities where capabilities of one component could be leveraged with those of others in a relatively seamless fashion within CREATE-AV Helios.

Jain, Rohit↗

Fully-Coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulations of a Supersonic Parachute

A validated computational fluid-structure interaction method for simulating the complex interaction between the large deformation of very thin, highly deformable structures and compressible flows is extended to consider large-scale problems in supersonic flows using parallel computing. The coupled fluid-structure interaction system is solved in a partitioned, or weakly-coupled, manner. The foundations of the applied fluid-structure interaction method are a higher-order, block-structured Cartesian, sharp immersed boundary method for the compressible Navier-Stokes equations and a computational structural dynamics solver employing a geometrically nonlinear 3-node shell element based on the mixed interpolation of tensorial components formulation. The method is applied to large deformation fluid-structure interaction validation cases before being applied to the inflation of a supersonic parachute in the upper Martian atmosphere where the goal is to demonstrate the capabilities of the solver when considering large-scale problems in supersonic flows.

Boustani, Jonathan↗

Integrating aerodynamic surface modeling for computational fluid dynamics with computer aided structural analysis, design, and manufacturing

This presentation will discuss the development of a NASA Geometry Exchange Specification for transferring aerodynamic surface geometry between LeRC systems and grid generation software used for computational fluid dynamics research. The proposed specification is based on a subset of the Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES). The presentation will include discussion of how the NASA-IGES standard will accommodate improved computer aided design inspection methods and reverse engineering techniques currently being developed. The presentation is in viewgraph format.

Thorp, Scott A.↗

Computational structural mechanics and fluid dynamics: Advances and trends; Proceedings of the Symposium, Washington, DC, Oct. 17-19, 1988

Recent advances in computational structural and fluid dynamics are discussed in reviews and reports. Topics addressed include fluid-structure interaction and aeroelasticity, CFD techniques for reacting flows, micromechanics, stability and eigenproblems, probabilistic methods and chaotic dynamics, and perturbation and spectral methods. Consideration is given to finite-element, finite-volume, and boundary-element methods; adaptive methods; parallel processing machines and applications; and visualization, mesh generation, and AI interfaces.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗

Flight-vehicle materials, structures, and dynamics - Assessment and future directions. Vol. 5 - Structural dynamics and aeroelasticity

Various papers on flight vehicle materials, structures, and dynamics are presented. Individual topics addressed include: general modeling methods, component modeling techniques, time-domain computational techniques, dynamics of articulated structures, structural dynamics in rotating systems, structural dynamics in rotorcraft, damping in structures, structural acoustics, structural design for control, structural modeling for control, control strategies for structures, system identification, overall assessment of needs and benefits in structural dynamics and controlled structures. Also discussed are: experimental aeroelasticity in wind tunnels, aeroservoelasticity, nonlinear aeroelasticity, aeroelasticity problems in turbomachines, rotary-wing aeroelasticity with application to VTOL vehicles, computational aeroelasticity, structural dynamic testing and instrumentation.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗

Intramolecular structure and dynamics in computationally designed peptide-based polymers displaying tunable chain stiffness

Here, polymers assembled using computationally designed coiled coil bundlemers display tunable stiffness via control of interbundlemer covalent connectivity as confirmed using small-angle neutron scattering. Neutron spin echo spectroscopy reveals that rigid rod polymers show a decay rate Γ~Q 2 (Q is the scattering vector) expected of straight cylinders. Semirigid polymers assembled using bundlemers linked via 4-armed organic linker show flexible segmental dynamics at mid-Q and Γ~Q 2 behavior at high Q. The results give insight into linker flexibility-dependent interbundlemer dynamics in the hybrid polymers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗