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At least 703 records · Page 39

Optimal Design of General Stiffened Composite Circular Cylinders for Global Buckling with Strength Constraints

A design strategy for optimal design of composite grid-stiffened cylinders subjected to global and local buckling constraints and strength constraints was developed using a discrete optimizer based on a genetic algorithm. An improved smeared stiffener theory was used for the global analysis. Local buckling of skin segments were assessed using a Rayleigh-Ritz method that accounts for material anisotropy. The local buckling of stiffener segments were also assessed. Constraints on the axial membrane strain in the skin and stiffener segments were imposed to include strength criteria in the grid-stiffened cylinder design. Design variables used in this study were the axial and transverse stiffener spacings, stiffener height and thickness, skin laminate stacking sequence and stiffening configuration, where stiffening configuration is a design variable that indicates the combination of axial, transverse and diagonal stiffener in the grid-stiffened cylinder. The design optimization process was adapted to identify the best suited stiffening configurations and stiffener spacings for grid-stiffened composite cylinder with the length and radius of the cylinder, the design in-plane loads and material properties as inputs. The effect of having axial membrane strain constraints in the skin and stiffener segments in the optimization process is also studied for selected stiffening configurations.

Jaunky, N.↗

Delamination durability of composite materials for rotorcraft

Delamination is the most commonly observed failure mode in composite rotorcraft dynamic components. Although delamination may not cause immediate failure of the composite part, it often precipitates component repair or replacement, which inhibits fleet readiness, and results in increased life cycle costs. A fracture mechanics approach for analyzing, characterizing, and designing against delamination will be outlined. Examples of delamination problems will be illustrated where the strain energy release rate associated with delamination growth was found to be a useful generic parameter, independent of thickness, layup, and delamination source, for characterizing delamination failure. Several analysis techniques for calculating strain energy release rates for delamination from a variety of sources will be outlined. Current efforts to develop ASTM standard test methods for measuring interlaminar fracture toughness and developing delamination failure criteria will be reviewed. A technique for quantifying delamination durability due to cyclic loading will be presented. The use of this technique for predicting fatigue life of composite laminates and developing a fatigue design philosophy for composite structural components will be reviewed.

Obrien, T. Kevin↗

Bolt cutter functional evaluation

The Aerospace Corporation has been implementing finite difference and finite element codes for the analysis of a variety of explosive ordnance devices. Both MESA-2D and DYNA3D have been used to evaluate the role of several design parameters on the performance of a satellite separation system bolt cutter. Due to a lack of high strain rate response data for the materials involved, the properties for the bolt cutter and the bolt were selected to achieve agreement between computer simulation and observed characteristics of the recovered test hardware. The calculations provided insight into design parameters such as the cutter blade kinetic energy, the preload on the bolt, the relative position of the anvil, and the anvil shape. Modeling of the cutting process clarifies metallographic observation of both cut and uncut bolts obtained from several tests. Understanding the physical processes involved in bolt cutter operation may suggest certain design modifications that could improve performance margin without increasing environmental shock response levels.

S. Goldstein↗

A unifying strain criterion for fracture of fibrous composite laminates

Fibrous composite materials, such as graphite/epoxy, are light, stiff, and strong. They have great potential for reducing weight in aircraft structures. However, for a realization of this potential, designers will have to know the fracture toughness of composite laminates in order to design damage tolerant structures. In connection with the development of an economical testing procedure, there is a great need for a single fracture toughness parameter which can be used to predict the stress-intensity factor (K(Q)) for all laminates of interest to the designer. Poe and Sova (1980) have derived a general fracture toughness parameter (Qc), which is a material constant. It defines the critical level of strains in the principal load-carryng plies. The present investigation is concerned with the calculation of values for the ratio of Qc and the ultimate tensile strain of the fibers. The obtained data indicate that this ratio is reasonably constant for layups which fail largely by self-similar crack extension.

Poe, C. C., Jr.↗

Thermomechanical processing of HAYNES alloy No. 188 sheet to improve creep strength

Improvements in the low strain creep strength of HAYNES alloy No. 188 thin gauge sheet by means of thermomechanical processing were developed. Processing methods designed to develop a sheet with strong crystallographic texture after recrystallization and to optimize grain size were principally studied. The effects of thickness-to-grain diameter ratio and prestrain on low strain creep strength were also briefly examined. Results indicate that the most significant improvements were obtained in the sheets having a strong crystallographic texture. The low strain creep strength of the textured sheets was observed to be superior to that of standard production sheets in the 922 K to 1255 K temperature range. Tensile, stress rupture, fabricability, and surface stability properties of the experimental sheets were also measured and compared to property values reported for the baseline production sheets.

Klarstrom, D. L.↗

Many routes to ferroelectric HfO 2 : A review of current deposition methods

Although 10 years have passed since the initial report of ferroelectricity in hafnia (HfO 2 ), researchers are still intensely fascinated by this material system and the promise it holds for future applications. A wide variety of deposition methods have been deployed to create ferroelectric HfO 2 thin films such as atomic layer deposition, chemical solution deposition, and physical vapor deposition methods such as sputtering and pulsed laser deposition. Process and design parameters such as deposition temperature, precursor choice, target source, vacuum level, reactive gases, substrate strain, and many others are often integral in stabilizing the polar orthorhombic phase and ferroelectricity. We examine processing parameters across four main different deposition methods and their effect on film microstructure, phase evolution, defect concentration, and resultant electrical properties. The goal of this review is to integrate the process knowledge collected over the past 10 years in the field of ferroelectric HfO 2 into a single comprehensive guide for the design of future HfO 2 -based ferroelectric materials and devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Precision Cryogenic Dilatometer

A dilatometer based on a laser interferometer is being developed to measure mechanical creep and coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of materials at temperatures ranging from ambient down to 15 K. This cryogenic dilatometer has been designed to minimize systematic errors that limit the best previously available dilatometers. At its prototype stage of development, this cryogenic dilatometer yields a strain measurement error of 35 ppb or 1.7 ppb/K CTE measurement error for a 20-K thermal load, for low-expansion materials in the temperature range from 310 down to 30 K. Planned further design refinements that include a provision for stabilization of the laser and addition of a high-precision sample-holding jig are expected to reduce the measurement error to 5-ppb strain error or 0.3-ppb/K CTE error for a 20-K thermal load. The dilatometer (see figure) includes a common-path, differential, heterodyne interferometer; a dual-frequency, stabilized source bench that serves as the light source for the interferometer; a cryogenic chamber in which one places the material sample to be studied; a cryogenic system for cooling the interior of the chamber to the measurement temperature; an ultra-stable alignment stage for positioning the chamber so that the sample is properly positioned with respect to the interferometer; and a data-acquisition and control system. The cryogenic chamber and the interferometer portion of the dilatometer are housed in a vacuum chamber on top of a vibration isolating optical table in a cleanroom. The sample consists of two pieces a pillar on a base both made of the same material. Using reflections of the interferometer beams from the base and the top of the pillar, what is measured is the change in length of the pillar as the temperature in the chamber is changed. In their fundamental optical and electronic principles of operation, the laser light source and the interferometer are similar to those described in Common-Path Heterodyne Interferometers (NPO-20786), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 25, No. 7 (July 2001), page 12a, and Interferometer for Measuring Displacement to Within 20 pm (NPO- 21221), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 27, No. 7 (July 2003), page 8a. However, the present designs incorporate a number of special geometric, optical, and mechanical features to minimize optical and thermal-expansion effects that contribute to measurement errors. These features include the use of low-thermal expansion materials for structural components, kinematic mounting and symmetrical placement of optical components, and several measures taken to minimize spurious reflections of laser beams.

Dudik, Matthew↗

The Design of Mechanically Compatible Fasteners for Human Mandible Reconstruction

Mechanically compatible fasteners for use with thin or weakened bone sections in the human mandible are being developed to help reduce large strain discontinuities across the bone/implant interface. Materials being considered for these fasteners are a polyetherertherketone (PEEK) resin with continuous quartz or carbon fiber for the screw. The screws were designed to have a shear strength equivalent to that of compact/trabecular bone and to be used with a conventional nut, nut plate, or an expandable shank/blind nut made of a ceramic filled polymer. Physical and finite element models of the mandible were developed in order to help select the best material fastener design. The models replicate the softer inner core of trabecular bone and the hard outer shell of compact bone. The inner core of the physical model consisted of an expanding foam and the hard outer shell consisted of ceramic particles in an epoxy matrix. This model has some of the cutting and drilling attributes of bone and may be appropriate as an educational tool for surgeons and medical students. The finite element model was exercised to establish boundary conditions consistent with the stress profiles associated with mandible bite forces and muscle loads. Work is continuing to compare stress/strain profiles of a reconstructed mandible with the results from the finite element model. When optimized, these design and fastening techniques may be applicable, not only to other skeletal structures, but to any composite structure.

Roberts, Jack C.↗

An Intelligent Strain Gauge with Debond Detection and Temperature Compensation

The harsh rocket propulsion test environment will expose any inadequacies associated with preexisting instrumentation technologies, and the criticality for collecting reliable test data justifies investigating any encountered data anomalies. Novel concepts for improved systems are often conceived during the high scrutiny investigations by individuals with an in-depth knowledge from maintaining critical test operations. The Intelligent Strain Gauge concept was conceived while performing these kinds of activities. However, the novel concepts are often unexplored even if it has the potential for advancing the current state of the art. Maturing these kinds of concepts is often considered to be a tangential development or a research project which are both normally abandoned within the propulsion-oriented environment. It is also difficult to justify these kinds of projects as a facility enhancement because facility developments are only accepted for mature and proven technologies. Fortunately, the CIF program has provided an avenue for bringing the Intelligent Strain Gauge to fruition. Two types of fully functional smart strain gauges capable of performing reliable and sensitive debond detection have been successfully produced. Ordinary gauges are designed to provide test article data and they lack the ability to supply information concerning the gauge itself. A gauge is considered to be a smart gauge when it provides supplementary data relating other relevant attributes for performing diagnostic function or producing enhanced data. The developed strain gauges provide supplementary signals by measuring strain and temperature through embedded Karma and nickel chromium (NiCr) alloy elements. Intelligently interpreting the supplementary data into valuable information can be performed manually, however, integrating this functionality into an automatic system is considered to be an intelligent gauge. This was achieved while maintaining a very low mass. The low mass enables debond detection and temperature compensation to be performed when the gauge is utilized on small test articles. It was also found that the element's mass must be relatively small to avoid overbearing the desired thermal dissipation characteristics. Detecting the degradation of a gauge s bond was reliably achieved by correlating thermal dissipation with the bond s integrity. This was accomplished by precisely coupling a NiCr element with a Karma element for accurately interjecting and quantifying thermal energy. A finite amount of thermal energy is consistently placed in the gauge by electrically powering the NiCr element. The energy will only be temporarily stored before it begins to dissipate into the surrounding structure through the gauge bond. The ability to transmit the energy into the structure becomes greatly inhibited by any discontinuity in the bond s substrate. Therefore, the way the thermal dissipation occurs will reveal even the slightest change in the integrity of the bond.

Jensen, Scott L.↗

Interconnect fatigue design for terrestrial photovoltaic modules

The results of comprehensive investigation of interconnect fatigue that has led to the definition of useful reliability-design and life-prediction algorithms are presented. Experimental data indicate that the classical strain-cycle (fatigue) curve for the interconnect material is a good model of mean interconnect fatigue performance, but it fails to account for the broad statistical scatter, which is critical to reliability prediction. To fill this shortcoming the classical fatigue curve is combined with experimental cumulative interconnect failure rate data to yield statistical fatigue curves (having failure probability as a parameter) which enable (1) the prediction of cumulative interconnect failures during the design life of an array field, and (2) the unambiguous--ie., quantitative--interpretation of data from field-service qualification (accelerated thermal cycling) tests. Optimal interconnect cost-reliability design algorithms are derived based on minimizing the cost of energy over the design life of the array field.

Mon, G. R.↗

Topology optimization of compliant mechanisms under transient thermal conditions

This work considers multi-material topology optimization of compliant mechanisms under transient thermal and quasi-static mechanical conditions wherein thermally actuated devices are optimized for different operating conditions. The materials are modeled using finite strain thermo-hyperelasticity and a two way coupling between the energy balance and equilibrium equations is investigated. The design updates are generated from the gradient-based method of moving asymptotes optimizer and the sensitivities are computed using the time dependent adjoint sensitivity analysis. Results show the impact of designing for short versus long actuation times.

42 ENGINEERING↗

High temperature stress-strain analysis

The objectives of the high-temperature structures program are threefold: to assist in the development of analytical tools needed to improve design analyses and procedures for the efficient and accurate prediction of the nonlinear structural response of hot-section components; to aid in the calibration, validation, and evaluation of the analytical tools by comparing predictions with experimental data; and to evaluate existing as well as advanced temperature and strain measurement instrumentation. As the analytical tools, test methods, tests, instrumentations, as well as data acquisition, management, and analysis methods are developed and evaluated, a proven, integrated analysis and experiment method will result in a more accurate prediction of the cyclic life of hot section components.

Thompson, Robert L.↗

A Thin Film Multifunction Sensor for Harsh Environments

The status of work at NASA Glenn Research Center to develop a minimally intrusive integrated sensor to provide realtime measurement of strain, heat flux and flow in high temperature environments is presented in this paper. The sensor can be beneficial as a single package to characterize multiple stress and strain modes simultaneously on materials and components during engine development and validation. A major technical challenge is to take existing individual gauge designs and modify them into one integrated thin film sensor. Ultimately, the goal is to develop the ability to deposit the sensors directly onto internal engine parts or on a small thin substrate that can be attached to engine components. Several prototype sensors constructed of platinum, platinum-rhodium alloy, and alumina on constant-strain alumina beams have been built and bench-tested. The technical challenges of the design. construction, and testing are discussed. Data from the preliminary testing of the sensor array is presented. The future direction for the sensor development is discussed as well.

Wrbanek, John D.↗

Fabrication end Deployment Testing of Meter Solar Sail Quadrants for a Scaleable Square Solar Sail Ground Test System

In order for solar sail propulsion technologies to be considered as a viable option for a wide range of near term practical missions a predictable, stable, reliable, manufactureable, scaleable, and cost effective system must be developed and tested first on earth and then on orbit. The design and development of a Scaleable Square Solar Sail System (S^4) is well underway a t AEC-Able Engineering Co. Inc., and the design and production of the Solar Sails for this system is being carried out by SRS Technologies. In April and May of 2004 a single quadrant 10-meter system was tested at NASA LARC's vacuum chamber and a four quadrant 20-meter system has been designed and built for deployment and testing in the Spring of 2005 at NASA/Glenn Research Center's Plumb Brook Facility. SRS has developed an effective and efficient design for triangular sail quadrants that are supported are three points and provide a flat reflective surface with a high fill factor. This sail design is robust enough for deployments in a one atmosphere, one gravity environment and incorporates several advanced features including adhesiveless seaming of membrane strips, compliant edge borders to allow for film membrane cord strain mismatch without causing wrinkling and low mass (3% of total sail mass) ripstop. This paper will outline the sail design and fabrication process, the lessons learned and the resulting mature production, packaging and deployment processes that have been developed. It will also highlight the scalability of the equipment and processes that were developed to fabricate and package the sails. Based on recent experience, SRS is confidant that flight worthy solar sails in the 40-120-meter size range with areal density in the 4-5g/sq m (sail minus structure) range can be produced with existing technology. Additional film production research will lead to further reductions in film thickness to less than 1 micron enabling production of sails with areal densities as low as 20 g/sq m using the current design resulting in a system areal density of as low as 5.3g/sq m. These areal densities are low enough to allow nearly all of the Solar Sail missions that have been proposed by the scientific community and the fundamental technology required to produce these sails has been demonstrated on the ground test sails that have recently been built. These demonstrations have shown that the technology is mature enough to build sails needed to support critical science missions. Solar Sails will be an enabling technology for NASA's Vision for Space Exploration by allowing communication satellite orbits that can maintain continuous communication with the polar regions of the Moon and Mars and to support solar weather monitoring to provide early warning of solar flares and storms that could threaten the safety of astronauts and other spacecraft.

Laue, Greg↗

In-situ determination of strain during transient burst testing and the temperature dependence of Zircaloy-4 claddings

Understanding fuel system behavior during postulated loss-of-coolant accidents is pertinent for continued safe and efficient operation of light water reactors, particularly as higher burnups are being pursued and safety margins re-evaluated. Conventional mechanical models for the incumbent Zr alloys typically rely on the assumption that steady-state creep is the dominant fuel cladding response during transient accident conditions. To investigate this assumption, simulated accident burst testing was performed on Zircaloy-4 claddings with balloon behavior measured in-situ. Here, two distinct loading conditions were utilized during burst testing: (1) constant-gas-inventory where pressure was allowed to increase with temperature and (2) constant pressure. In-situ strains and strain rates were measured via 2-dimensional digital image correlation techniques and synchronized with temperature to determine deformation dependencies. The temperature dependence of strain rate was characterized by a two segment Arrhenius relationship, with a distinct transition between the high and low temperature/strain regimes. The average activation energy of the lower temperature/strain regime was 328 ± 25 kJ/mol, in agreement with the ~320 kJ/mol used for conventional LOCA models. However, the higher temperature/strain segment, which encompassed most of ballooning, showed increased activation energies as well as a dependence on whether the burst region was in view. For tests that burst away from the camera view, the average high temperature/strain segment activation energy was 635 ± 150 kJ/mol. For samples where the rupture opening formed in view, the average activation energy was 1015 ± 179 kJ/mol. This observed shift in temperature dependence indicates a transition in deformation mechanism at the end of life, possibly to time independent failure mechanisms, which has not yet been visualized in the literature for Zr alloys. Parameters at the transition points were analyzed to determine thresholds for this change in behavior, which occurred at an average hoop strain of 6.9 ± 2.1 %.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Hidden Connections between Regression Models of Strain-Gage Balance Calibration Data

Hidden connections between regression models of wind tunnel strain-gage balance calibration data are investigated. These connections become visible whenever balance calibration data is supplied in its design format and both the Iterative and Non-Iterative Method are used to process the data. First, it is shown how the regression coefficients of the fitted balance loads of a force balance can be approximated by using the corresponding regression coefficients of the fitted strain-gage outputs. Then, data from the manual calibration of the Ames MK40 six-component force balance is chosen to illustrate how estimates of the regression coefficients of the fitted balance loads can be obtained from the regression coefficients of the fitted strain-gage outputs. The study illustrates that load predictions obtained by applying the Iterative or the Non-Iterative Method originate from two related regression solutions of the balance calibration data as long as balance loads are given in the design format of the balance, gage outputs behave highly linear, strict statistical quality metrics are used to assess regression models of the data, and regression model term combinations of the fitted loads and gage outputs can be obtained by a simple variable exchange.

Ulbrich, Norbert↗

Silicon Consortium Project: No-Go on Moir Interferometry for Measuring SEI Strain as a Probe for Calendar Life Testing

Silicon is a promising candidate as a next generation anode to replace or complement graphite electrodes due to its high energy density and low lithiation potential. When silicon is lithiated, it experiences over 300% expansion which stresses the silicon as well as its solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) leading to poor performance. The use of nano-sized silicon has helped to mitigate volume expansion and stress in the silicon, yet the silicon SEI is still both mechanically and chemically unstable. Identifying the mechanical failure mechanism of the SEI will help enhance calendar and cycle life performance through improved SEI design. In situ moiré interferometry was investigated to try and track the in-plane strain in the SEI and silicon electrode for this purpose. Moiré can detect on the order of 10 nm changes in displacement and is therefore a useful tool in the measurement of strain. As the sample undergoes small deformations, large changes in the moiré fringe allow for measurements of displacement below the diffraction limit of light. Figure 1a shows how the moiré fringe changes as the sample grating deforms. As the sample contracts or expands, the frequency of the moiré fringe changes, and this change is proportional to the strain in the sample.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Survey and development of finite elements for nonlinear structural analysis. Volume 2: Nonlinear shell finite elements

The development of two new shell finite elements for applications to large deflection problems is considered. The elements in question are doubly curved and of triangular and quadrilateral planform. They are restricted to small strains of elastic materials, and can accommodate large rotations. The elements described, which are based on relatively simple linear elements, make use of a new displacement function approach specifically designed for strongly nonlinear problems. The displacement function development for nonlinear applications is based on certain beam element formulations, and the strain-displacement equations are of a shallow shell type. Additional terms were included in these equations in an attempt to avoid the large errors characteristic of shallow shell elements in certain types of problems. An incremental nonlinear solution procedure specifically adopted to the element formulation was developed. The solution procedure is of combined incremental and total Lagrangian type, and uses a new updating scheme. A computer program was written to evaluate the developed formulations. This program can accommodate small element groups in arbitrary arrangements. Two simple programs were successfully solved. The results indicate that this new type of element has definite promise and should be a fruitful area for further research.

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