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At least 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Prediction of moisture and temperature changes in composites during atmospheric exposure

The effects of variations in diffusion coefficients, surface properties of the composite, panel tilt, ground reflection, and geographical location on the moisture concentration profiles and average moisture content of composite laminates were studied analytically. A heat balance which included heat input due to direct and sky diffuse solar radiation, ground reflection, and heat loss due to reradiation and convection was used to determine the temperature of composites during atmospheric exposure. The equilibrium moisture content was assumed proportional to the relative humidity of the air in the boundary layer of the composite. Condensation on the surface was neglected. Histograms of composite temperatures were determined and compared with those for the ambient environment.

Tompkins, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Soil moisture modeling review

A determination of the state of the art in soil moisture transport modeling based on physical or physiological principles was made. It was found that soil moisture models based on physical principles have been under development for more than 10 years. However, these models were shown to represent infiltration and redistribution of soil moisture quite well. Evapotranspiration has not been as adequately incorporated into the models.

Hildreth, W. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Optimal spatial sampling techniques for ground truth data in microwave remote sensing of soil moisture

The paper examines optimal sampling techniques for obtaining accurate spatial averages of soil moisture, at various depths and for cell sizes in the range 2.5-40 acres, with a minimum number of samples. Both simple random sampling and stratified sampling procedures are used to reach a set of recommended sample sizes for each depth and for each cell size. Major conclusions from statistical sampling test results are that (1) the number of samples required decreases with increasing depth; (2) when the total number of samples cannot be prespecified or the moisture in only one single layer is of interest, then a simple random sample procedure should be used which is based on the observed mean and SD for data from a single field; (3) when the total number of samples can be prespecified and the objective is to measure the soil moisture profile with depth, then stratified random sampling based on optimal allocation should be used; and (4) decreasing the sensor resolution cell size leads to fairly large decreases in samples sizes with stratified sampling procedures, whereas only a moderate decrease is obtained in simple random sampling procedures.

Rao, R. G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Temperature and moisture analysis in composites

Advanced fiber-reinforced polymeric matric composites have emerged as strong candidate materials for airframe applications. Favorable aspects include high strength, stiffness, and low density. Temperature and Moisture Analysis in Composites (TMAC) program was developed to study effect of variations in diffusion coefficients, surface properties, panel tilt, ground reflection, and geographical location on moisture-concentration profiles and average moisture contents of composite laminates.

Tenney, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Soil Moisture Workshop

The Soil Moisture Workshop was held at the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, Maryland on January 17-19, 1978. The objectives of the Workshop were to evaluate the state of the art of remote sensing of soil moisture; examine the needs of potential users; and make recommendations concerning the future of soil moisture research and development. To accomplish these objectives, small working groups were organized in advance of the Workshop to prepare position papers. These papers served as the basis for this report.

Heilman, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Origin of moisture effects on crack propagation in composites

A study has been made of the origin of unexpected moisture effects on crack extension in fiberglass laminates. Water immersion has been found to greatly reduce the rate of crack growth under constant loading, while increasing the rate under cyclic loading, the latter effect being the expected one. Observations were made of the extension of the stable damage zone at the tip of precut notches in wet and dry environments. The damage zone size is postulated as a critical element in the relaxation of high stress concentrations in composites, such as those at notch or crack tips. Under constant load, moisture is shown to greatly expand the interply delamination region in the damage zone, thus reducing the local fiber stresses and increasing crack resistance. Under cyclic loading moisture has little effect on the delamination region, which is large even for dry environments, and the only effect is weakening of the material and acceleration of cracks. Severe hygrothermal conditions can so weaken the material that the crack resistance is reduced under constant loading as well.

Mandell, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Remote sensing of surface soil moisture

The unique thermal and dielectric properties of water afford two possibilities for remotely sensing the moisture content in the surface layer of the soil. Observations of the diurnal range of surface temperature, the microwave brightness temperature (emissivity) and radar backscatter of the soil have shown correlations of up to 0.9 with the moisture in the surface layer (about 5 cm thick). The microwave techniques appear to maintain their sensitivity to moisture variations in the presence of a crop canopy. Observations of microwave brightness temperature from satellite platforms have qualitatively confirmed this sensitivity for a wide range of conditions.

Schmugge, T.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Effects of moisture profiles and laminate configuration on the hygro stress in advanced composites

A theoretical investigation was performed using a recently developed integrated theory for predicting the hygrothermomechanical response to investigate the effects of three different moisture profiles on the ply hygro stresses in angleplied laminates. The moisture profiles were linear, parabolic and hyperbolic varying from 1 percent at the exposed ply to '0' percent in the protected ply. The angleplied laminates were of two generic configurations. The results obtained are summarized graphically to illustrate the effects of both moisture profile and laminate configuration.

Chamis, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

L-band radar sensing of soil moisture

The performance of an L-band, 25 cm wavelength imaging synthetic aperture radar was assessed for soil moisture determination, and the temporal variability of radar returns from a number of agricultural fields was studied. A series of three overflights was accomplished over an agricultural test site in Kern County, California. Soil moisture samples were collected from bare fields at nine sites at depths of 0-2, 2-5, 5-15, and 15-30 cm. These gravimetric measurements were converted to percent of field capacity for correlation to the radar return signal. The initial signal film was optically correlated and scanned to produce image data numbers. These numbers were then converted to relative return power by linear interpolation of the noise power wedge which was introduced in 5 dB steps into the original signal film before and after each data run. Results of correlations between the relative return power and percent of field capacity (FC) demonstrate that the relative return power from this imaging radar system is responsive to the amount of soil moisture in bare fields. The signal returned from dry (15% FC) and wet (130% FC) fields where furrowing is parallel to the radar beam differs by about 10 dB.

Chang, A. T. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Measurement of soil moisture trends with airborne scatterometers

The author has identified the following significant results. Cursory examination of the data indicates that the listed row tillage practices at 90 deg to the radar beam are approximately 12.5db higher than other comparable agricultural land. The Seasat radar data show evidence that the high return occurs only at a narrow range in look direction near the 90 deg. Such a high increase in return compared to a 15db range in film response would indicate that rows seen crosswise would saturate optically processed data. This response to row direction will have an adverse effect on monitoring agricultural lands with L band radar systems. Preliminary examination indicates that there is no sensitivity to soil moisture at the 5 deg look angle when using a like-polarized L band system. Some sensitivity was evident at a look angle of 20 deg and only a weak sensitivity was indicated at 40 deg look angle. At both 20 deg and 40 deg there is a significant response to soil moisture and none to row direction. Steep angles or the 5 deg look angle using cross polarized (HB) L band system appear insensitive to row direction and soil moisture.

Blanchard, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Survey of methods for soil moisture determination

Existing and proposed methods for soil moisture determination are discussed. These include: (1) in situ investigations including gravimetric, nuclear, and electromagnetic techniques; (2) remote sensing approaches that use the reflected solar, thermal infrared, and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum; and (3) soil physics models that track the behavior of water in the soil in response to meteorological inputs (precipitation) and demands (evapotranspiration). The capacities of these approaches to satisfy various user needs for soil moisture information vary from application to application, but a conceptual scheme for merging these approaches into integrated systems to provide soil moisture information is proposed that has the potential for meeting various application requirements.

Schmugge, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Moisture determination in composite materials using positron lifetime techniques

A technique was developed which has the potential of providing information on the moisture content as well as its depth in the specimen. This technique was based on the dependence of positron lifetime on the moisture content of the composite specimen. The positron lifetime technique of moisture determination and the results of the initial studies are described.

Singh, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Influence of quality control variables on failure of graphite/epoxy under extreme moisture conditions

Tension tests on graphite/epoxy composites were performed to determine the influence of various quality control variables on failure strength as a function of moisture and moderate temperatures. The extremely high and low moisture contents investigated were found to have less effect upon properties than did temperature or the quality control variables of specimen flaws and prepreg batch to batch variations. In particular, specimen flaws were found to drastically reduce the predicted strength of the composite, whereas specimens from different batches of prepreg displayed differences in strength as a function of temperature and extreme moisture exposure. The findings illustrate the need for careful specimen preparation, studies of flaw sensitivity, and careful quality control in any study of composite materials.

Clements, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Correlation of spacecraft passive microwave system data with soil moisture indices (API)

Electrical scanning microwave radiometer brightness temperature, meteorological data, climatological data, and winter wheat crop information were used to estimate that soil moisture content in the Great Plains region. Results over the predominant winter wheat areas indicate that the best potential to infer soil moisture occurs during fall and spring. These periods encompass the growth stages when soil moisture is most important to winter wheat yield. Other significant results are reported.

Blanchard, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Evaluation of the effects of varying moisture contents on microwave thermal emissions from agriculture fields

Three tasks related to soil moisture sensing at microwave wavelengths were undertaken: (1) analysis of data at L, X and K sub 21 band wavelengths over bare and vegetated fields from the 1975 NASA sponsored flight experiment over Phoenix, Arizona; (2) modeling of vegetation canopy at microwave wavelengths taking into consideration both absorption and volume scattering effects; and (3) investigation of overall atmospheric effects at microwave wavelengths that can affect soil moisture retrieval. Data for both bare and vegetated fields are found to agree well with theoretical estimates. It is observed that the retrieval of surface and near surface soil moisture information is feasible through multi-spectral and multi-temporal analysis. It is also established that at long wavelengths, which are optimal for surface sensing, atmospheric effects are generally minimal. At shorter wavelengths, which are optimal for atmosheric retrieval, the background surface properties are also established.

Burke, H. H. K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Some effects of topography, soil moisture, and sea-surface temperature on continental precipitation as computed with the GISS coarse mesh climate model

The effects of terrain elevation, soil moisture, and zonal variations in sea/surface temperature on the mean daily precipitation rates over Australia, Africa, and South America in January were evaluated. It is suggested that evaporation of soil moisture may either increase or decrease the model generated precipitation, depending on the surface albedo. It was found that a flat, dry continent model best simulates the January rainfall over Australia and South America, while over Africa the simulation is improved by the inclusion of surface physics, specifically soil moisture and albedo variations.

Spar, J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Soil moisture inferences from thermal infrared measurements of vegetation temperatures

Thermal infrared measurements of wheat (Triticum durum) canopy temperatures were used in a crop water stress index to infer root zone soil moisture. Results indicated that one time plant temperature measurement cannot produce precise estimates of root zone soil moisture due to complicating plant factors. Plant temperature measurements do yield useful qualitative information concerning soil moisture and plant condition.

Jackson, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

L-band radar sensing of soil moisture

The objectives of the experiment were to assess the performance of an L-band, 25-cm wavelength imaging synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for soil moisture determination, and to study the temporal variability of radar returns from a number of agricultural fields. A series of overflights was accomplished during March 1977 over an agricultural test site in Kern County, Calif. Soil moisture samples were collected from bare fields at nine sites at depths of 0-2, 2-5, 5-15, and 15-30 cm. These gravimetric measurements were converted to percent of field capacity for correlation to the radar return signal. The initial signal film was optically correlated and scanned to produce image data numbers. These numbers were then converted to relative return power by linear interpolation of the noise power wedge which was introduced in 5-dB steps into the original signal film before and after each data run. Results of correlations between the relative return power and percent of field capacity demonstrate that the relative return power from this imaging radar system is responsive to the amount of soil moisture in bare fields. The signal returned from dry and wet fields where furrowing is parallel to the radar beam differs by about 15 dB. Before this technique can be operationally employed, adequate calibration of the radar system is required to insure comparability of data both from area to area within a single flight and between different flights.

Chang, A. T. C.↗