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At least 595 records · Page 33

Influence of fiber architecture on the elastic an d inelastic response of metal matrix composites

This three part paper focuses on the effect of fiber architecture (i.e., shape and distribution) on the elastic and inelastic response of metal matrix composites. The first part provides an annotative survey of the literature, presented as a historical perspective, dealing with the effects of fiber shape and distribution on the response of advanced polymeric matrix and metal matrix composites. Previous investigations dealing with both continuously and discontinuously reinforced composites are included. A summary of the state-of-the-art will assist in defining new directions in this quickly reviving area of research. The second part outlines a recently developed analytical micromechanics model that is particularly well suited for studying the influence of these effects on the response of metal matrix composites. This micromechanics model, referred to as the generalized method of cells (GMC), is capable of predicting the overall, inelastic behavior of unidirectional, multi-phased composites given the properties of the constituents. In particular, the model is sufficiently general to predict the response of unidirectional composites reinforced by either continuous or discontinuous fibers with different inclusion shapes and spatial arrangements in the presence of either perfect or imperfect interfaces and/or interfacial layers. Recent developments regarding this promising model, as well as directions for future enhancements of the model's predictive capability, are included. Finally, the third pan provides qualitative results generated using GMC for a representative titanium matix composite system, SCS-6/TlMETAL 21S. Results are presented that correctly demonstrate the relative effects of fiber arrangement and shape on the longitudinal and transverse stress-strain and creep response, with both strong and weak fiber/matrix interfacial bonds. The fiber arrangements include square, square diagonal, hexagonal and rectangular periodic arrays, as well as a random array. The fiber shapes include circular, square and cross-shaped cross sections. The effect of fiber volume fraction on the observed stress-strain response is also discussed, as the thus-far poorly documented strain rate sensitivity effect. In addition to the well documented features of architecture dependent response of continuously reinforced two-phase MMC's, new results involving continuous multi-phase internal architectures are presented. Specifically, stress strain and creep response of composites with different size fibers having different internal arrangements and bond strengths are investigated with the aim of determining the feasibility of using this approach to enhance the transverse toughness and creep resistance of TMC's.

Arnold, Steven M.↗

Thermal response behavior of boundary-layer flows

This paper presents an approximate, but general, analysis for the thermal response behavior of incompressible, constant property, laminar boundary layer flow over a smooth object of arbitrary shape. It encompasses the classic time-dependent Leveque problem as its special case. Comparisons with available data show that, for fluids with Prandtl number of the order of unity or larger, this analytical solution is able to provide reasonably accurate results for most engineering applications. Under certain restrictive conditions, it can also be used to predict the thermal response of a compressible boundary layer flow.

Lin, F. N.↗

A closed-form solution for noise contours

An analytical approach for generating noise contours that overcome the difficulties of existing programs is described. This approach is valid for arbitrarily complex paths and reveals the importance of various factors that influence contour shape and size. The calculations are simple enough to be implemented on a small, hand-held programmable calculator, and a program for the HP-67 calculator is illustrated. The method is fast, simple, and gives the area, the contour, and its extremities for arbitrary flight paths for both takeoffs and landings.

Stewart, E. C.↗

Heat transfer in cooled porous region with curved boundary

Heat transfer characteristics are analyzed for a cooled two-dimensional porous medium having a curved boundary. A general analytical procedure is given in combination with a numerical conformal mapping method used to transform the porous region into an upper half plane. To illustrate the method, results are evaluated for a cosine shaped boundary subjected to uniform external heating. The results show the effects of coolant starvation in the thick regions of the medium, and the extent that internal heat conduction causes the heated surface to have a more uniform temperature.

Siegel, R.↗

A method of predicting the performance deterioration of a compressor cascade due to sand erosion

Performance deterioration due to sand erosion is a well known phenomena for aircraft engines operating in particulate flow environments. A method for predicting this performance deterioration is developed and applied to a two dimensional compressor cascade. The locations of the particles impacts are computed by analyzing the trajectories of the individual particles. From this analysis, the material removed, the changes in the airfoil shape, and the roughness development over the surface are estimated as a function of time. The resulting airfoil profiles are analyzed for predicting performance by using an inviscid-viscous interaction technique. The analytical solution is compared with experimental results.

Balan, C.↗

A study of the effects of a cubic nonlinearity on a modern modal identification technique

The effect of a geometric nonlinearity on the Ibrahim Time Domain (ITD) modal data analysis technique has been studied using two analytically derived models and one laboratory model. Response data for the three models were analyzed by the ITD method. Indicators of nonlinear response were found which include harmonically related frequencies with repetitive mode shapes, clusters of frequencies in a narrow band around each harmonic, and variations in frequency with amplitude of oscillation. Also,for the cases studied, the presence of a nonlinearity has no detrimental effect on identifying linear responses. A potential for applying the algorithm to the identification of a certain class of nonlinear system was indicated.

Horta, L. G.↗

An improved computational technique for calculating electromagnetic forces and power absorptions generated in spherical and deformed body in levitation melting devices

An improved computational technique for calculating the electromagnetic force field, the power absorption and the deformation of an electromagnetically levitated metal sample is described. The technique is based on the volume integral method, but represents a substantial refinement; the coordinate transformation employed allows the efficient treatment of a broad class of rotationally symmetrical bodies. Computed results are presented to represent the behavior of levitation melted metal samples in a multi-coil, multi-frequency levitation unit to be used in microgravity experiments. The theoretical predictions are compared with both analytical solutions and with the results of previous computational efforts for the spherical samples and the agreement has been very good. The treatment of problems involving deformed surfaces and actually predicting the deformed shape of the specimens breaks new ground and should be the major usefulness of the proposed method.

Zong, Jin-Ho↗

Mutual coupling between parallel columns of periodic slots in a ground plane surrounded by dielectric slabs

Arrays of slots with arbitrary orientation in a conducting plane which are infinitely periodic in one dimension and finitely periodic in another dimension are considered. The perfect conducting plane extends infinitely and is bounded on each side by dielectric slabs of finite thickness and infinite extent. Single columns of slots are represented by equivalent magnetic scattering currents, which are solved for via the moment method. The mutual coupling (admittance) between slot columns in the presence of the stratified media is found by the array scanning method (ASM), which expresses the admittance as the average of the scan admittance of an artificially constructed doubly infinite array of slots over all real scan angles. The technique avoids the use of Sommerfeld integrals, but still gives rise to singularities at scan angles corresponding to the resonant excitation of surface waves. An analytical approximation is made to remove these surface wave singularities, thus making numerical implementation of the method practical. The method is quite general and may be extended to thin slot elements of arbitrary shape and orientation.

Skinner, J. P.↗

Assumed modes method and flexible multibody dynamics

The use of assumed modes in flexible multibody dynamics algorithms requires the evaluation of several domain dependent integrals that are affected by the type of modes used. The implications of these integrals - often called zeroth, first and second order terms - are investigated in this paper, for arbitrarily shaped bodies. Guidelines are developed for the use of appropriate boundary conditions while generating the component modal models. The issue of whether and which higher order terms must be retained is also addressed. Analytical results, and numerical results using the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System as the multibody system, are presented to qualitatively and quantitatively address these issues.

Tadikonda, S. S. K.↗

An Improved Computational Technique for Calculating Electromagnetic Forces and Power Absorptions Generated in Spherical and Deformed Body in Levitation Melting Devices

An improved computational technique for calculating the electromagnetic force field, the power absorption and the deformation of an electromagnetically levitated metal sample is described. The technique is based on the volume integral method, but represents a substantial refinement; the coordinate transformation employed allows the efficient treatment of a broad class of rotationally symmetrical bodies. Computed results are presented to represent the behavior of levitation melted metal samples in a multi-coil, multi-frequency levitation unit to be used in microgravity experiments. The theoretical predictions are compared with both analytical solutions and with the results or previous computational efforts for the spherical samples and the agreement has been very good. The treatment of problems involving deformed surfaces and actually predicting the deformed shape of the specimens breaks new ground and should be the major usefulness of the proposed method.

Zong, Jin-Ho↗

Rocket Exhaust Cratering: Lessons Learned from Viking and Apollo

During the Apollo and Viking programs NASA expended considerable effort to study the cratering of the regolith when a rocket launches or lands on it. That research ensured the success of those programs but also demonstrated that cratering will be a serious challenge for other mission scenarios. Unfortunately, because three decades have elapsed since NASA last performed a successful retro-rocket landing on a large planetary body - and ironically because Apollo and Viking were successful at minimizing the cratering effects - the space agency has a minimized sense of the seriousness of the issue. The most violent phase of a cratering event is when the static overpressure of the rocket exhaust exceeds the bearing capacity of the soil. This bearing capacity failure (BCF) punches a small and highly concave cup into the surface. The shape of the cup then redirects the supersonic jet - along with a large flux of high-velocity debris - directly toward the spacecraft. This has been observed in terrestrial experiments but never quantified analytically. The blast from such an event will be more than just quantitatively greater than the cratering that occurred in the Apollo and Viking programs. It will be qualitatively different, because BCF had been successfully avoided in all those missions. In fact, the Viking program undertook a significant research and development effort and redesigned the spacecraft specifically for the purpose of avoiding BCF [1]. (See Figure 1.) Because the Apollo and Viking spacecraft were successful at avoiding those cratering effects, it was unnecessary to understand them. As a result, the physics of a BCF-driven cratering event have never been well understood. This is a critical gap in our knowledge because BCF is unavoidable in the Martian environment with the large landers necessary for human exploration, and in Lunar landings it must also be addressed because it may occur depending upon the design specifics of the spacecraft and the weakening of the regolity by gas diffusion.

Metzger, Philip T.↗

Shape optimization of pressure gradient microphones

Recently developed finite element computer programs were utilized to investigate the influence of the shape of a body on its scattering field with the aim of determining the optimal shape for a Pressure Gradient Microphone (PGM). Circular cylinders of various aspect ratios were evaluated to choose the length to diameter ratio best suited for a dual element PGM application. Alterations of the basic cylindrical shape by rounding the edges and recessing at the centerline were also studied. It was found that for a + or - 1 db deviation from a linear pressure gradient response, a circular cylinder of aspect ratio near 0.5 was most suitable, yielding a useful upper frequency corresponding to ka = 1.8. The maximum increase in this upper frequency limit obtained through a number of shape alterations was only about 20 percent. An initial experimental evaluation of a single element cylindrical PGM of aspect ratio 0.18 utilizing a piezoresistive type sensor was also performed and is compared to the analytical results.

Norum, T. D.↗

Noise from struts and splitters in turbofan exit ducts

An analytical method for calculating noise radiation from isolated airfoils in turbulent flow was combined with a method for calculating transmission of sound through a subsonic exit duct and with an empirical far field directivity shape. This combination provides a method for predicting engine internally generated noise from radial struts and stators and annular splitter rings. Calculated sound power spectra, directivity, and acoustic pressure spectra are compared with data. These data were for noise caused by a fan exit duct splitter ring, large-chord stator blades, and turbine exit struts. However, the lack of turbulence intensity and scale length measurements for these flow ducts prevented an absolute validation of the prediction method.

Fink, M. R.↗

Assessment of analytic methods for the prediction of aerodynamic characteristics of arbitrary bodies at supersonic speeds

Trends toward the automation of the design process for airplanes and missiles accentuate the need for analytic techniques for the prediction of aerodynamic characteristics. A number of computer codes have been developed or are under development which show promise of significantly improving the estimation of aerodynamic characteristics for arbitrarily-shaped bodies at supersonic speeds. The programs considered range in complexity from a simple linearized solution employing slender body theory to an exact finite difference solution of the Euler equations. The results from five computer codes are compared with experimental data to determine the accuracy, range of applicability, ease of use, and computer time and cost of the programs. The results provide a useful guide for selecting the appropriate method for treating bodies at the various levels of an automated design process.

Landrum, E. J.↗

Spectral identification/elimination of molecular species in spacecraft glow

Computer models of molecular electronic and vibrational emission intensities were developed. Known radiative emission rates (Einstein coefficients) permit the determination of relative excited state densities from spectral intensities. These codes were applied to the published spectra of glow above shuttle surface and to the Spacelab 1 results of Torr and Torr. The theoretical high-resolution spectra were convolved with the appropriate instrumental slit functions to allow accurate comparison with data. The published spacelab spectrum is complex but N2+ Meinel emission can be clearly identified in the ram spectrum. M2 First Positive emission does not correlate well with observed features, nor does the CN Red System. Spectral overlay comparisons are presented. The spectrum of glow above shuttle surfaces, in contrast to the ISO data, is not highly structured. Diatomic molecular emission was matched to the observed spectral shape. Source excitation mechanisms such as (oxygen atom)-(surface species) reaction product chemiluminescence, surface recombination, or resonance fluorescent re-emission will be discussed for each tentative assignment. These assignments are the necessary first analytical step toward mechanism identification. Different glow mechanisms will occur above surfaces under different orbital conditions.

Green, B. D.↗

Critical behavior of two-dimensional vesicles in the deflated regime

The critical behavior of two-dimensional vesicles in the deflated regime is studied analytically using a mapping onto a gauge model, scaling arguments, and exact inequalities. In agreement with the results of earlier studies the critical behavior is governed by a branched-polymer fixed point. The shape of the critical line in the gauge model is deduced in the weak and in the infinitely deflated regime.

Banavar, Jayanth R.↗

Thin airfoil theory based on approximate solution of the transonic flow equation

A method is presented for the approximate solution of the nonlinear equations transonic flow theory. Solutions are found for two-dimensional flows at a Mach number of 1 and for purely subsonic and purely supersonic flows. Results are obtained in closed analytic form for a large and significant class of nonlifting airfoils. At a Mach number of 1 general expressions are given for the pressure distribution on an airfoil of specified geometry and for the shape of an airfoil having a prescribed pressure distribution. Extensive comparisons are made with available data, particularly for a Mach number of 1, and with existing solutions.

WING-SECTION THEORY↗

Thin airfoil theory based on approximate solution of the transonic flow equation

A method is presented for the approximate solution of the nonlinear equations of transonic flow theory. Solutions are found for two-dimensional flows at a Mach number of 1 and for purely subsonic and purely supersonic flows. Results are obtained in closed analytic form for a large and significant class of nonlifting airfoils. At a Mach number of 1 general expressions are given for the pressure distribution on an airfoil of specified geometry and for the shape of an airfoil having a prescribed pressure distribution. Extensive comparisons are made with available data, particularly for a Mach number of 1, and with existing solutions.

Spreiter, John R↗