Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “life prediction”

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.

At least 649 records · Page 36

Effect of flange bolt preload on Space Shuttle main engine high pressure oxidizer turbopump housing analysis

Cracks at the seal fillet flange and the strut pilot groove of primary turbine drain passage of the space shuttle main engine (SSME) high pressure oxidizer turbopump (HPOTP) were observed and reported. Stress information for critical structural components in the SSME under actual conditions is necessary for design and life prediction analysis. However, little information is available about the stress distribution at this location under various combinations of loadings and environments. Thus, a stress analysis was conducted to determine an influence of the various operation and installation loads on the stresses of the HPOTP main mounting flange. To do this, a 3-D finite element model of the HPOTP housing was generated. A fairly comfortable margin of stresses at the flange fillet with respect to the yield stress of Inconel 718 is shown. However, it was revealed that the bending stress arising from the housing flange bolt preloads could significantly affect the stress distribution at the strut pilot groove of primary turbine drain passage in the HPOTP housing. Consequently, the information obtained from the present 3-D analysis results should be useful in guiding the development of the SSME HPOTP.

Min, J. B.↗

Three-dimensional stress intensity factor analysis of a surface crack in a high-speed bearing

The boundary element method is applied to calculate the stress intensity factors of a surface crack in the rotating inner raceway of a high-speed roller bearing. The three-dimensional model consists of an axially stressed surface cracked plate subjected to a moving Hertzian contact loading. A multidomain formulation and singular crack-tip elements were employed to calculate the stress intensity factors accurately and efficiently for a wide range of configuration parameters. The results can provide the basis for crack growth calculations and fatigue life predictions of high-performance rolling element bearings that are used in aircraft engines.

Ballarini, Roberto↗

Ceramic thermal barrier coatings for commercial gas turbine engines

The paper provides an overview of the short history, current status, and future prospects of ceramic thermal barrier coatings for gas turbine engines. Particular attention is given to plasma-sprayed and electron beam-physical vapor deposited yttria-stabilized (7 wt pct Y2O3) zirconia systems. Recent advances include improvements in the spallation life of thermal barrier coatings, improved bond coat composition and spraying techniques, and improved component design. The discussion also covers field experience, life prediction modeling, and future directions in ceramic coatings in relation to gas turbine engine design.

Meier, Susan Manning↗

Engine Structures Modeling Software System (ESMOSS)

Engine Structures Modeling Software System (ESMOSS) is the development of a specialized software system for the construction of geometric descriptive and discrete analytical models of engine parts, components, and substructures which can be transferred to finite element analysis programs such as NASTRAN. The NASA Lewis Engine Structures Program is concerned with the development of technology for the rational structural design and analysis of advanced gas turbine engines with emphasis on advanced structural analysis, structural dynamics, structural aspects of aeroelasticity, and life prediction. Fundamental and common to all of these developments is the need for geometric and analytical model descriptions at various engine assembly levels which are generated using ESMOSS.

Source record↗

Ceramics for engines

The NASA Lewis Research Center's Ceramic Technology Program is focused on aerospace propulsion and power needs. Thus, emphasis is on high-temperature ceramics and their structural and environmental durability and reliability. The program is interdisciplinary in nature with major emphasis on materials and processing, but with significant efforts in design methodology and life prediction.

Kiser, James D.↗

Military engine computational structures technology

Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology Initiative (IHPTET) goals require a strong analytical base. Effective analysis of composite materials is critical to life analysis and structural optimization. Accurate life prediction for all material systems is critical. User friendly systems are also desirable. Post processing of results is very important. The IHPTET goal is to double turbine engine propulsion capability by the year 2003. Fifty percent of the goal will come from advanced materials and structures, the other 50 percent will come from increasing performance. Computer programs are listed.

Thomson, Daniel E.↗

Ceramics and ceramic matrix composites - Aerospace potential and status

Thermostructural ceramics and ceramic-matrix composites are attractive in numerous aerospace applications; the noncatastrophic fracture behavior and flaw-insensitivity of continuous fiber-reinforced CMCs renders them especially desirable. The present development status evaluation notes that, for most highly-loaded high-temperature applications, the requisite fiber-technology base is at present insufficient. In addition to materials processing techniques, the life prediction and NDE methods are immature and require a projection of 15-20 years for the maturity of CMC turbine rotors. More lightly loaded, moderate temperature aircraft engine applications are approaching maturity.

Levine, Stanley R.↗

Thermomechanical and bithermal fatigue behavior of cast B1900 + Hf and wrought Haynes 188

A thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) high-temperature life prediction method has been evaluated using the experimental data. Bithermal fatigue (BTF), bithermal creep-fatigue (BTC-F), and TMF experiments were performed using two aerospace structural alloys, cast B1900 + Hf and wrought Haynes 188. The method which is based on the total strain version of strain range partitioning and unified cyclic constitutive modeling requires, as an input, information on the flow and failure behavior of the material of interest. Bithermal temperatures of 483 and 871 C were used for the cast B1900 + Hf nickel-base alloy and 316 and 760 C for the wrought Haynes 188 cobalt-base alloy. Maximum and minimum temperatures were also used in both TMF and BTF tests. Comparisons were made between the results of these tests and isothermal tensile and fatigue test data obtained previously. Qualitative correlations were observed between tensile and isothermal fatigue tests.

Halford, G. R.↗

Hot fire fatigue testing results for the compliant combustion chamber

A hydrogen-oxygen subscale rocket combustion chamber was designed incorporating an advanced design concept to reduce strain and increase life. The design permits unrestrained thermal expansion of a circumferential direction and, thereby, provides structural compliance during the thermal cycling of hot-fire testing. The chamber was built and test fired at a chamber pressure of 4137 kN/sq m (600 psia) and a hydrogen-oxygen mixture ratio of 6.0. Compared with a conventional milled-channel configuration, the new structurally compliant chamber had a 134 or 287 percent increase in fatigue life, depending on the life predicted for the conventional configuration.

Pavli, Albert J.↗

Verification of rain-flow reconstructions of a variable amplitude load history

The suitability of using rain-flow reconstructions as an alternative to an original loading spectrum for component fatigue life testing is investigated. A modified helicopter maneuver history is used for the rain-flow cycle counting and history regenerations. Experimental testing on a notched test specimen over a wide range of loads produces similar lives for the original history and the reconstructions. The test lives also agree with a simplified local strain analysis performed on the specimen utilizing the rain-flow cycle count. The rain-flow reconstruction technique is shown to be a viable test spectrum alternative to storing the complete original load history, especially in saving computer storage space and processing time. A description of the regeneration method, the simplified life prediction analysis, and the experimental methods are included in the investigation.

Clothiaux, John D.↗

Reliability assessment of thrust chamber cooling concepts using probabilistic analysis techniques

The reliability of OFHC (Oxygen Free High Conductivity) copper and NARloy-Z thrust chambers is assessed by applying probabilistic structural analysis techniques to incorporate design parameter variability and uncertainty. Thrust chambers specifically evaluated are the cylindrical test fixtures employed in a plug-nozzle configuration at the NASA Lewis Research Center. Direct sampling Monte Carlo simulations based on a simplified life prediction methodology established probability densities of firing cycles to structural failure. Simulated cyclic lives demonstrated modest agreement to experiment. Similarly, regions of high structural failure probability were determined using a limit state approach employing calculated cumulative distribution functions for effective stress response and an assumed material strength distribution. A probability of failure of 0.012 was calculated at the center of the coolant channel hot-gas-side wall for an OFHC milled channel. Structural response was found to be sensitive to the uncertainties in the thrust chamber thermal environment and the material's thermal expansion coefficient.

Rapp, Douglas C.↗

Axial and torsional fatigue behavior of a cobalt-base alloy

In order to develop elevated temperature multiaxial fatigue life prediction models for the wrought cobalt-base alloy, Haynes 188, a multiaxial fatigue data base is required. To satisfy this need, an elevated temperature experimental program on Haynes 188 consisting of axial, torsional, inphase and out of phase axial-torsional fatigue experiments was designed. Elevated temperature axial and torsional fatigue experiments were conducted under strain control on thin wall tubular specimens of Haynes 188 in air. Test results are given.

Bonacuse, Peter J.↗

NASA-UVA Light Aerospace Alloy and Structures Technology Program (LA2ST)

The NASA-UVA Light Aerospace Alloy and Structures Technology (LA2ST) Program continues a high level of activity. Progress achieved between 1 Jan. and 30 Jun. 1993 is reported. The objective of the LA2ST Program is to conduct interdisciplinary graduate student research on the performance of next generation, light weight aerospace alloys, composites, and thermal gradient structures in collaboration with NASA-Langley researchers. The following projects are addressed: environmental fatigue of Al-Li-Cu alloys; mechanisms of localized corrosion and environmental fracture in Al-Cu-Li-Mg-Ag alloy X2095 and compositional variations; the effect of zinc additions on the precipitation and stress corrosion cracking behavior of alloy 8090; hydrogen interactions with Al-Li-Cu alloy 2090 and model alloys; metastable pitting of aluminum alloys; cryogenic fracture toughness of Al-Cu-Li + In alloys; the fracture toughness of Weldalite (TM); elevated temperature cracking of advanced I/M aluminum alloys; response of Ti-1100/SCS-6 composites to thermal exposure; superplastic forming of Weldalite (TM); research to incorporate environmental effects into fracture mechanics fatigue life prediction codes such as NASA FLAGRO; and thermoviscoplastic behavior.

Gangloff, Richard P.↗

Small-crack growth behavior in high-strength aluminum alloys - A NASA/CAE cooperative program

NASA and the Chinese Aeronautics Establishment have participated in a Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics Cooperative Program giving attention to small-crack effects in high-strength Al alloys. Experimental and analytical investigations studied crack initiation and growth behavior of small cracks in both bare 7075-T6 and clad LC9cs Al alloys, with a view to the improvement of their fracture-mechanics analyses in the cases of surface crack and corner crack configurations. It is also expected that superior life-prediction methods will be developed in order to correlate and predict small crack and large crack growth with various load histories.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗

An advanced method for tracking the evolution of fatigue damage in reusable space propulsion systems

NASA-Lewis is actively involved in the general effort to research, develop, test, and evaluate advanced theoretical, analytical, experimental, and probabilistic analysis concepts required for life prediction of liquid rocket engines at the subcomponent, component, and engine system levels. The models developed are oriented toward use in advanced health monitoring systems of space propulsion systems. It is planned to demonstrate the methodology considering a representative set of three components such as a main injector element, a combustion chamber liner, and a turbopump blade. This paper describes the initial development and application of this method to a specific location in the main injector element of the SSME. Further enhancements and various elements of the framework will be completed as the work proceeds in subsequent years.

Rajagopal, K. R.↗

Computational technology for high-temperature aerospace structures

The status and some recent developments of computational technology for high-temperature aerospace structures are summarized. Discussion focuses on a number of aspects including: goals of computational technology for high-temperature structures; computational material modeling; life prediction methodology; computational modeling of high-temperature composites; error estimation and adaptive improvement strategies; strategies for solution of fluid flow/thermal/structural problems; and probabilistic methods and stochastic modeling approaches, integrated analysis and design. Recent trends in high-performance computing environment are described and the research areas which have high potential for meeting future technological needs are identified.

Noor, A. K.↗

High-cycle fatigue characterization of titanium 5Al-2.5Sn alloy

High-cycle fatigue behavior of titanium 5Al 2.5Sn alloy at room temperature has been studied. S-N curve characterization is performed at different stress ratios ranging from 0 to 0.9 on a subsized fatigue specimen. Both two-stress and three-stress level tests are conducted at different stress ratios to study the cumulative fatigue damage. Life prediction techniques of linear damage rule, double linear damage rule and damage curve approaches are applied, and results are compared with the experimental data. The agreement between prediction and experiment is found to be excellent.

Mahfuz, H.↗

Stirling engine - Approach for long-term durability assessment

The approach employed by NASA Lewis for the long-term durability assessment of the Stirling engine hot-section components is summarized. The approach consists of: preliminary structural assessment; development of a viscoplastic constitutive model to accurately determine material behavior under high-temperature thermomechanical loads; an experimental program to characterize material constants for the viscoplastic constitutive model; finite-element thermal analysis and structural analysis using a viscoplastic constitutive model to obtain stress/strain/temperature at the critical location of the hot-section components for life assessment; and development of a life prediction model applicable for long-term durability assessment at high temperatures. The approach should aid in the provision of long-term structural durability and reliability of Stirling engines.

Tong, Michael T.↗