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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.

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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Parametric Finite Element Analysis of Naturally Corroded Steel Specimens Using 3D Surface Laser Scans

Corrosion is considered a uniform thickness reduction design guideline of the maritime industry. However, additionally, the corroded and irregular morphology of the surface affects the steel's load-bearing capacity and its impact on the strength and elongation behaviour of the steel is not yet fully understood. These effects on the local behaviour of steel structures under tensile loading were investigated with tensile tests on naturally corroded steel specimens and nonlinear finite element simulations including the corroded surface morphology with a uniform surface idealation. The models also include the deformed specimen shape. The developed approach led to highly accurate parametric finite element models predicting the ultimate tensile strength and longitudinal position of fracture. The results show that all included aspects are essential for accurate simulations, while solely the maximum available surface resolution was not as decisive.

corrosion↗
DOE OSTI2016

Finite Element Simulation and X-Ray Microdiffraction Study of Strain Partitioning in a Layered Nanocomposite

The depth-dependent strain partitioning across the interfaces in the growth direction of the NiAl/Cr(Mo) nanocomposite between the Cr and NiAl lamellae was directly measured experimentally and simulated using a finite element method (FEM). Depth-resolved X-ray microdiffraction demonstrated that in the as-grown state both Cr and NiAl lamellae grow along the 111 direction with the formation of as-grown distinct residual ~0.16% compressive strains for Cr lamellae and ~0.05% tensile strains for NiAl lamellae. Three-dimensional simulations were carried out using an implicit FEM. First simulation was designed to study residual strains in the composite due to cooling resulting in formation of crystals. Strains in the growth direction were computed and compared to those obtained from the microdiffraction experiments. Second simulation was conducted to understand the combined strains resulting from cooling and mechanical indentation of the composite. Numerical results in the growth direction of crystal were compared to experimental results confirming the experimentally observed trends.

Barabash, R. I.↗
DOE OSTI2013

Development of a S{sub n} transport code based on discontinuous finite element method and coarse mesh finite difference formulation

The methods and performance of a three-dimensional S{sub n} transport code employing the Discontinuous Finite Element Method (DFEM) and the Coarse Mesh Finite Difference (CMFD) formulation are presented. The mesh generator GMSH and a post processing visualization tool Visit are combined with the code for flexible geometry processing and versatile visualization. The CMFD method for DFEM Sn applications is formulated and the performance of the CMFD acceleration of eigenvalue calculations is demonstrated for a simple set of neutron transport problems. (authors)

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2015

Local finite-amplitude wave activity as an objective diagnostic of midlatitude extreme weather

Midlatitude extreme weather events are responsible for a large part of climate related damage, yet our understanding of these extreme events is limited, partly due to the lack of a theoretical basis for midlatitude extreme weather. In this letter, the local finite-amplitude wave activity (LWA) of Huang and Nakamura [2015] is introduced as a diagnostic of the 500-hPa geopotential height (Z500) to characterizing midlatitude weather events. It is found that the LWA climatology and its variability associated with the Arctic Oscillation (AO) agree broadly with the previously reported blocking frequency in literature. There is a strong seasonal and spatial dependence in the trend13 s of LWA in recent decades. While there is no observational evidence for a hemispheric-scale increase in wave amplitude, robust trends in wave activity can be identified at the regional scales, with important implications for regional climate change.

Chen, Gang↗
DOE OSTI2018

A mesh-independent method for planar three-dimensional crack growth in finite domains: A mesh-independent method for crack growth in 3D finite domains

The discrete crack mechanics (DCM) method is a dislocation-based crack modeling technique where cracks are constructed using Volterra dislocation loops. The method allows for the natural introduction of displacement discontinuities, avoiding numerically expensive techniques. Mesh dependence in existing computational modeling of crack growth is eliminated by utilizing a superposition procedure. The elastic field of cracks in finite bodies is separated into two parts: the infinite-medium solution of discrete dislocations and an finite element method solution of a correction problem that satisfies external boundary conditions. In the DCM, a crack is represented by a dislocation array with a fixed outer loop determining the crack tip position encompassing additional concentric loops free to expand or contract. Solving for the equilibrium positions of the inner loops gives the crack shape and stress field. The equation of motion governing the crack tip is developed for quasi-static growth problems. Additionally, convergence and accuracy of the DCM method are verified with two- and three-dimensional problems with well-known solutions. Crack growth is simulated under load and displacement (rotation) control. In the latter case, a semicircular surface crack in a bent prismatic beam is shown to change shape as it propagates inward, stopping as the imposed rotation is accommodated.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Finite deformation cohesive polygonal finite elements for modeling pervasive fracture

In this work, we introduce a framework for modeling dynamic fracture problems using cohesive polygonal finite elements. Random polygonal meshes provide a robust, efficient method for generating an unbiased network of fracture surfaces. Further, these meshes have more facets per element than standard triangle or quadrilateral meshes, providing more possible facets per element to insert cohesive surfaces. This property of polygonal meshes is advantageous for the modeling of pervasive fracture. We use both Wachspress and maximum entropy shape functions to form a finite element basis over the polygons. Fracture surfaces are captured through dynamically inserted cohesive zone elements at facets between the polygons in the mesh. Contact is enforced through a penalty method that is applied to both closed cohesive surfaces and general interpenetration of two polygonal elements. Finally, several numerical examples are presented that illustrate the capabilities of the method and demonstrate convergence of solutions.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2015

On the numerical dispersion of electromagnetic particle-in-cell code: Finite grid instability

The Particle-In-Cell (PIC) method is widely used in relativistic particle beam and laser plasma modeling. However, the PIC method exhibits numerical instabilities that can render unphysical simulation results or even destroy the simulation. For electromagnetic relativistic beam and plasma modeling, the most relevant numerical instabilities are the finite grid instability and the numerical Cherenkov instability. We review the numerical dispersion relation of the Electromagnetic PIC model. We rigorously derive the faithful 3-D numerical dispersion relation of the PIC model, for a simple, direct current deposition scheme, which does not conserve electric charge exactly. We then specialize to the Yee FDTD scheme. In particular, we clarify the presence of alias modes in an eigenmode analysis of the PIC model, which combines both discrete and continuous variables. The manner in which the PIC model updates and samples the fields and distribution function, together with the temporal and spatial phase factors from solving Maxwell's equations on the Yee grid with the leapfrog scheme, is explicitly accounted for. Numerical solutions to the electrostatic-like modes in the 1-D dispersion relation for a cold drifting plasma are obtained for parameters of interest. In the succeeding analysis, we investigate how the finite grid instability arises from the interaction of the numerical modes admitted in the system and their aliases. The most significant interaction is due critically to the correct representation of the operators in the dispersion relation. We obtain a simple analytic expression for the peak growth rate due to this interaction, which is then verified by simulation. We demonstrate that our analysis is readily extendable to charge conserving models.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Competitive autocatalytic reactions in chaotic flows with diffusion: Prediction using finite-time Lyapunov exponents

We investigate chaotic advection and diffusion in autocatalytic reactions for time-periodic sine flow computationally using a mapping method with operator splitting. We specifically consider three different autocatalytic reaction schemes: a single autocatalytic reaction, competitive autocatalytic reactions, which can provide insight into problems of chiral symmetry breaking and homochirality, and competitive autocatalytic reactions with recycling. In competitive autocatalytic reactions, species B and C both undergo an autocatalytic reaction with species A such that A+B→2B and A+C→2C. Small amounts of initially spatially localized B and C and a large amount of spatially homogeneous A are advected by the velocity field, diffuse, and react until A is completely consumed and only B and C remain. We find that local finite-time Lyapunov exponents (FTLEs) can accurately predict the final average concentrations of B and C after the reaction completes. The species that starts in the region with the larger FTLE has, with high probability, the larger average concentration at the end of the reaction. If B and C start in regions with similar FTLEs, their average concentrations at the end of the reaction will also be similar. When a recycling reaction is added, the system evolves towards a single species state, with the FTLE often being useful in predicting which species fills the entire domain and which is depleted. The FTLE approach is also demonstrated for competitive autocatalytic reactions in journal bearing flow, an experimentally realizable flow that generates chaotic dynamics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Temporal evolution of surface ripples on a finite plasma slab subject to the magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability

Using the ideal magnetohydrodynamic model, we calculate the temporal evolution of initial ripples on the boundaries of a planar plasma slab that is subjected to the magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The plasma slab consists of three regions. We assume that in each region the plasma density is constant with an arbitrary value and the magnetic field is also constant with an arbitrary magnitude and an arbitrary direction parallel to the interfaces. Then, the instability may be driven by a combination of magnetic pressure and kinetic pressure. Thus the general dispersion relation is derived, together with the feedthrough factor between the two interfaces. The temporal evolution is constructed from the superposition of the eigenmodes. Those previously established results are recovered in the various limits. Numerical examples are given on the temporal evolution of ripples on the interfaces of the finite plasma slab.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Bell-Plesset effects in Rayleigh-Taylor instability of finite-thickness spherical and cylindrical shells

Bell-Plesset (BP) effects account for the influence of global convergence or divergence of the fluid flow on the evolution of the interfacial perturbations embedded in the flow. The development of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in radiation-driven spherical capsules and magnetically-driven cylindrical liners necessarily includes a significant contribution from BP effects due to the time dependence of the radius, velocity, and acceleration of the unstable surfaces or interfaces. An analytical model is presented that, for an ideal incompressible fluid and small perturbation amplitudes, exactly evaluates the BP effects in finite-thickness shells through acceleration and deceleration phases. The time-dependent dispersion equations determining the “instantaneous growth rate” are derived. It is demonstrated that by integrating this approximate growth rate over time, one can accurately evaluate the number of perturbation e-foldings during the inward acceleration phase of the implosion. As a result, in the limit of small shell thickness, exact thin-shell perturbationequations and approximate thin-shell dispersion equations are obtained, generalizing the earlier results [E. G. Harris, Phys. Fluids 5, 1057 (1962); E. Ott, Phys. Rev. Lett. 29, 1429 (1972); A. B. Bud'ko et al., Phys. Fluids B 2, 1159 (1990)].

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Two-fluid and finite Larmor radius effects on helicity evolution in a plasma pinch

The evolution of magnetic energy, helicity, and hybrid helicity during nonlinear relaxation of a driven-damped plasma pinch is compared in visco-resistive magnetohydrodynamics and two-fluid models with and without the ion gyroviscous stress tensor. Magnetic energy and helicity are supplied via a boundary electric field which initially balances the resistive dissipation, and the plasma undergoes multiple relaxation events during the nonlinear evolution. The magnetic helicity is well conserved relative to the magnetic energy over each event, which is short compared with the global resistive diffusion time. The magnetic energy decreases by roughly 1.5% of its initial value over a relaxation event, while the magnetic helicity changes by at most 0.2% of the initial value. The hybrid helicity is dominated by magnetic helicity in low-β pinch conditions and is also well conserved. Differences of less than 1% between magnetic helicity and hybrid helicity are observed with two-fluid modeling and result from cross helicity evolution. The cross helicity is found to change appreciably due to the first-order finite Larmor radius effects which have not been included in contemporary relaxation theories. The plasma current evolves towards the flat parallel current state predicted by Taylor relaxation theory but does not achieve it. Plasma flow develops significant structure for two-fluid models, and the flow perpendicular to the magnetic field is much more substantial than the flow along it.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Finite-Difference Simulation for Infrasound Generated by Finite-Extent Ground Motions

Underground explosions can produce infrasound in the atmosphere, and the wavefield characteristics are often governed by the ground surface motions. Finite-difference methods are popular for infrasound simulation as their generality and robustness allow for complex atmospheric structures and surface topography. A simple point-source approximation is often used because infrasound wavelengths tend to be large relative to the source dimensions. However, this assumption may not be able to capture the complexity of explosion-induced ground motions if the surface area is not compact, and appropriate source models must be incorporated into the finite-difference simulations for accurate infrasound prediction. In this study, we develop a point source representation of the complex ground motions for infrasound sources. Instead of a single point source, we use a series of point sources distributed over the source area. These distributed point sources can be equivalent to air volume changes produced by the ground motions in the atmosphere. Further, we apply the distributed point-source method to a series of buried chemical explosions conducted during the Source Physics Experiment Phase I. Epicentral ground-motion measurements during the experiments provide a way to calculate accurate distributed point sources. We validate and evaluate the accuracy of distributed point source approach for infrasound simulations by direct comparison with acoustic observations in the field experiment.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗