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At least 541 records · Page 30

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NASA NTRS1986

Experimental study of a pressure-driven, three-dimensional, turbulent boundary layer

The paper presents the results of an experimental investigation into a strongly-skewed, pressure-driven, three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer. Mean velocity and static pressure measurements reveal the general nature of the flowfield studied, while detailed measurements of the Reynolds stress tensor indicate the effect of the strong pressure field on the turbulent velocities. The rate and magnitude of the skewing in the boundary layer emerge as the most important parameters governing the behavior of the Reynolds stresses.

Anderson, S. D.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Predicting crack growth direction in unidirectional composites

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the parameters affecting crack growth direction in unidirectional composite materials. To achieve this, the effect of anisotropy and biaxial, far field, loading on the direction of crack growth in unidirectional off-axis composite materials is investigated. Specific emphasis is placed on defining the crack-tip-stress field and finding a consistent criterion for predicting the direction of crack growth. An anisotropic crack-tip-stress analysis was implemented using three criteria (the normal stress ratio theory, the tensor polynomial failure criterion, and the strain energy density theory) to predict the direction of crack extension in unidirectional off-axis graphite-epoxy. The theoretically predicted crack extension directions were then compared with experimental results. It was determined that only the normal stress-ratio criterion correctly predicts the direction of crack extension.

Gregory, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Characterisation of plasma in a rail gun

The mechanism of plasma and projectile acceleration in a DC rail gun is described from a microscopic point of view through the establishment of the Hall field. The plasma conductivity is shown to be a tensor, indicating that there is a small component of current parallel to the direction of acceleration. The plasma characteristics are evaluated in the experiment of Bauer et. al., as a function of plasma mass through a simple fluid mechanical analysis of the plasma. By equating the energy dissipatated in the plasma with the radiation heat loss, the properties of the plasma are determined.

Ray, P. K.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A perturbation approach to cosmic ray transients in interplanetary space

A perturbation approach is used to model the linear response of the cosmic ray distribution as a function of perturbations in the solar wind transport parameters. The analytical technique permits examination of the effects of the different solar wind parameters, i.e., velocity, drift velocity and the diffusion tensor, which are additive. Cosmic ray changes in the solar wind are neglected. Variations in the diffusion coefficient and the convection-diffusion equation are applied to describing Forbush decreases and the 11-yr solar cycle variations. The treatment is limited to energies above 100 MeV, yet is considered valid enough to have identified a hysteresis effect in the 11-yr variation, wherein high-energy particles lead low-energy particles to a magnitude that increases with increasing heliocentric distance within the inner heliosphere. The calculations also indicate that the Forbush decreases are a cumulative effect of precipitous precursors accompanied by slow recoveries from travelling solar wind perturbations.

Chih, P. P.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Particle acceleration at a termination shock. I - Application to the solar wind and the anomalous component

The results of a numerical study of the diffusive acceleration of charged particles at the termination shock of the solar wind are reported. In the model a realistic magnetic field structure is employed which is similar to that observed in the solar wind. In addition to causing spatial variation of the diffusion tensor, a major effect of the magnetic field is to cause guiding-center drifts of the accelerated particles, both in the solar wind and at the shock. It is demonstrated that the inclusion of the drifts has a large effect on the acceleration. It is concluded, furthermore, that acceleration at the termination shock, in conjunction with drifts, can explain several observed features of the anomalous component.

Jokipii, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A multiple scattering theory for EM wave propagation in a dense random medium

For a dense medium of randomly distributed scatterers an integral formulation for the total coherent field has been developed. This formulation accounts for the multiple scattering of electromagnetic waves including both the twoand three-particle terms. It is shown that under the Markovian assumption the total coherent field and the effective field have the same effective wave number. As an illustration of this theory, the effective wave number and the extinction coefficient are derived in terms of the polarizability tensor and the pair distribution function for randomly distributed small spherical scatterers. It is found that the contribution of the three-particle term increases with the particle size, the volume fraction, the frequency and the permittivity of the particle. This increase is more significant with frequency and particle size than with other parameters.

Karam, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Crack growth in unidirectional graphite-epoxy under biaxial loading

An anisotropic elasticity crack tip stress analysis is implemented using three crack extension direction criteria (the normal stress ratio, the tensor polynominal and the strain energy density) to predict the direction of crack extension in unidirectional of axis graphite-epoxy. The theoretical predictions of crack extension direction are then compared with experimental results for 15 deg off axis tensile coupons with center cracks. Specimens of various aspect ratios and crack orientations are analyzed. It is shown that only the normal stress ratio criterion predicts the correct direction of crack growth.

Beuth, J. L., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Interactive color graphical postprocessing as a unifying influence in numerical analysis research

The general capabilities and the hardware environment of an interactive color graphical postprocessor for three-dimensional numerical analysis are described as well as the synergistic influence of this aspect of interactive graphics on the research environment. Areas of practical concern include finite element analysis, fracture propagation, surface and framed structures. The interactive color graphical postprocessor, POSTPRO3D, is capable of displaying the scalar, vector, and tensor results of finite difference, finite element, and boundary element analysis. In the case of fatigue cracking in steel crane-rail girders, it was shown that POSTPRO3D offers a high level of flexibility, interactivity and features which minimize response time.

Abel, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Rotation and flattening of globular clusters

Methods for measuring globular cluster ellipticities and the results of such measurements are reviewed, and the processes that determine the shapes of globular clusters and the ways in which they change with time are discussed. The use of the virial tensor theorem to study the connection between the global rotation, velocity anisotropy, and the shape of a self-gravitating system is addressed, and the employment of N-body models to simulate the evolution of globular clusters with initially anisotropic velocity distributions is examined. The application of a simple evaporation model and Fokker-Planck integrations to study the two-body diffusion in globular clusters is reviewed.

Fall, S. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Crack growth direction in unidirectional off-axis graphite-epoxy

An anisotropic elasticity crack tip stress analysis is implemented using three crack extension direction criteria (the normal stress ratio, the tensor polynominal and the strain energy density) to predict the direction of crack extension in unidirectional off axis graphite-epoxy. The theoretical predictions of crack extension direction are then compared with experimental results for 15 deg off axis tensile coupons with center cracks. Specimens of various aspect ratios and crack orientations are analyzed. It is shown that only the normal stress ratio criterion predicts the correct direction of crack growth.

Herakovich, C. T.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Six-Axis Superconducting Accelerometer

Sensitivity and short-term stability high. Design combines superconductivity and magnetic levitation to achieve linear-acceleration sensitivity greater than conventional linear accelerometers, and short-term angular stability better than conventional gyroscopes. Improved accelerometer used to increase precision in inertial navigation and surveying, as sensitive multiple-axis seismic sensor, as component of tensor gravity gradiometer, or to sense accelerations of stabilized platforms or spacecraft.

Paik, Ho Jung↗

NASA NTRS1987

Imaging Radar Polarimeter

Radar measures full polarization tensor of each element in scene in one sweep. New system comprises dual-polarized antenna, single transmitter, and four-channel receiver and digital recorder installed in aircraft, plus digital processor on ground. Produces radar-backscatter images corresponding to 10- by 10-km regions on ground. Signals recorded from orthogonal linearly polarized antennas combined in computer after flight to synthesize any desired combination of transmitted and received polarizations. Data recorded on single flight processed to provide multiple images.

Zebker, Howard A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

ANISAP: A three-dimensional finite element program for laminated composites subjected to mechanical loading

ANISAP is a 3-D finite element FORTRAN 77 computer code for linear elastic, small strain, analysis of laminated composites with arbitrary geometry including free edges and holes. Individual layers may be isotropic or transversely isotropic in material principal coordinates; individual layers may be rotated off-axis about a global z-axis. The laminate may be a hybrid. Three different isoparametric elements, variable order of gaussian integration, calculation of stresses at element boundaries, and loading by either nodal displacement of forces are included in the program capability. Post processing capability includes failure analysis using the tensor polynominal failure criterion.

Burns, S. W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A coordinate free description of magnetohydrostatic equilibria

The question what geometrical restrictions are imposed on static magnetic fields by the magnetohydrostatic (MHS) equation is addressed. The general mathematical problem is therefore to determine the solutions of the MHS equations in the corona subject to an arbitrary normal component of the magnetic field at the boundary and arbitrary connectivity. What constraints the MHS equations impose on the geometry of the solutions, expressed in metric tensors, will be determined.

Martens, P. C. H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Toward the large-eddy simulations of compressible turbulent flows

New subgrid-scale models for the large-eddy simulation of compressible turbulent flows are developed based on the Favre-filtered equations of motion for an ideal gas. A compressible generalization of the linear combination of the Smagorinsky model and scale-similarity model (in terms of Favre-filtered fields) is obtained for the subgrid-scale stress tensor. An analogous thermal linear combination model is also developed for the subgrid-scale heat flux vector. The three dimensionless constants associated with these subgrid-scale models are obtained by correlating with the results of direct numerical simulations of compressible isotropic turbulence performed on a 96 to the third power grid using Fourier collocation methods. Extensive comparisons between the direct and modeled subgrid-scale fields are provided in order to validate the models. Future applications of these compressible subgrid-scale models to the large-eddy simulation of supersonic aerodynamic flows are discussed briefly.

Erlebacher, G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

An algorithm for surface smoothing with rational splines

Discussed is an algorithm for smoothing surfaces with spline functions containing tension parameters. The bivariate spline functions used are tensor products of univariate rational-spline functions. A distinct tension parameter corresponds to each rectangular strip defined by a pair of consecutive spline knots along either axis. Equations are derived for writing the bivariate rational spline in terms of functions and derivatives at the knots. Estimates of these values are obtained via weighted least squares subject to continuity constraints at the knots. The algorithm is illustrated on a set of terrain elevation data.

Schiess, James R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Adaptive momentum management for large space structures

Momentum management is discussed for a Large Space Structure (LSS) with the structure selected configuration being the Initial Orbital Configuration (IOC) of the dual keel space station. The external forces considered were gravity gradient and aerodynamic torques. The goal of the momentum management scheme developed is to remove the bias components of the external torques and center the cyclic components of the stored angular momentum. The scheme investigated is adaptive to uncertainties of the inertia tensor and requires only approximate knowledge of principle moments of inertia. Computational requirements are minimal and should present no implementation problem in a flight type computer and the method proposed is shown to be effective in the presence of attitude control bandwidths as low as .01 radian/sec.

Hahn, E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Nonisothermal elasto-visco-plastic response of shell-type structures

A mathematical model and solution methodologies for analyzing structural response of thin, metallic shell-type structures under large transient, cyclic or static thermomechanical loads is disussed. Among the system responses, which are associated with these load conditions, are thermal buckling and creep buckling. Thus, geometric as well as material-type nonlinearities (of high order) can be anticipated and have been considered in the development of the mathematical model. Furthermore, this was accommodated in the solution procedures. A complete true ab-inito rate theory of kinematics and kinetics for continuum and curved thin structures, without any restriction on the magnitude of the strains or the deformation, was formulated. The time dependence and large strain behavior are incorporated through the introduction of the time rates of the metric and curvature in two coordinate systems, a fixed (spatial) one and a convected (material) coordinate system. The relations between the time derivative and the covariant derivatives (gradients) have been developed for curved space and motion, so that the velocity components supply the connection between the equations of motion and the time rate of change of the metric and curvature tensors.

Simitses, G. J.↗