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At least 739 records · Page 41

Propfan test assessment testbed aircraft stability and control/performance 1/9-scale wind tunnel tests

One-ninth scale wind tunnel model tests of the Propfan Test Assessment (PTA) aircraft were performed in three different NASA facilities. Wing and propfan nacelle static pressures, model forces and moments, and flow field at the propfan plane were measured in these tests. Tests started in June 1985 and were completed in January 1987. These data were needed to assure PTA safety of flight, predict PTA performance, and validate analytical codes that will be used to predict flow fields in which the propfan will operate.

Little, B. H., Jr.↗

Comparison of thermal analytic model with experimental test results for 30-sentimeter-diameter engineering model mercury ion thruster

A thermal analytic model for a 30-cm engineering model mercury-ion thruster was developed and calibrated using the experimental test results of tests of a pre-engineering model 30-cm thruster. A series of tests, performed later, simulated a wide range of thermal environments on an operating 30-cm engineering model thruster, which was instrumented to measure the temperature distribution within it. The modified analytic model is described and analytic and experimental results compared for various operating conditions. Based on the comparisons, it is concluded that the analytic model can be used as a preliminary design tool to predict thruster steady-state temperature distributions for stage and mission studies and to define the thermal interface bewteen the thruster and other elements of a spacecraft.

Oglebay, J. C.↗

A correlation of scale model and flight aeroacoustic data for the Space Shuttle vehicle

A correlation is presented between aeroacoustic data acquired in the early Space Shuttle flights and in the various scale model tests from which the Shuttle vibroacoustic design environments were derived. These are the external acoustic data on the vehicle elements at liftoff, during the transonic and maximum dynamic pressure period of ascent flight, and during spent SRB reentry. The maximum external acoustic environment on the Shuttle elements in a given 1/3-octave frequency band comes from one of these critical flight regimes. The data correlation is seen to be good, testifying to adequate scale model measurement and test techniques. Some of the more salient features of the scale model test programs are described.

Dougherty, N. S.↗

Research Facilities Summary: Wind Tunnels: Subsonic, Transonic and Supersonic - Volume 2

This volume describes subsonic, transonic, and supersonic facilities called wind tunnels in the classical sense; that is, facilities which provide essentially continuous steady streams of gas which are cool enough so there is no significant dissociation, and in which test models are generally stationary translationally. Ames facilities for gasdynamic tests in which model translation provides a significant portion of the test speed are described in Volume I, "Guns and Ranges." For quick reference, this volume includes a tabular summary of Ames subsonic, transonic, and supersonic wind tunnels. The table is followed by more detailed descriptions. Tabulated information on most major wind tunnels in the United States can be found in Reference 1.

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Testing a dynamical model for mid-latitude sea surface temperature anomalies

The present investigation is concerned with the development and testing of a dynamical model for sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the midlatitudes. The model is an extension of the stochastic forcing model, suggested by Frankignoul and Hasselmann (1977), in which SST anomalies arise naturally as a response of the slowly varying upper ocean to the rapidly varying air-sea fluxes. The conducted analysis confirms strongly the validity of this model. The results suggest that advection by mean ocean currents plays an important role in some regions. Attention is given to the governing equations, a statistical model, SST anomaly advection, heat flux anomalies, wind-driven mass transport in the mixed layer, mixed-layer depth, aspects of model testing, and the atmospheric forcing.

Frankignoul, C.↗

A General Tank Test of NACA Model 11-C Flying-boat Hull, Including the Effect of Changing the Plan Form of the Step

The results of a general tank test model 11-C, a conventional pointed afterbody type of flying-boat hull, are given in tables and curves. These results are compared with the results of tests on model 11-A, from which model 11-C was derived, and it is found that the resistance of model 11-C is somewhat greater. The effect of changing the plan form of the step on model 11-C is shown from the results of tests made with three swallow-tail and three pointed steps formed by altering the original step of the model. These results show only minor differences from the results obtained with the original model.

Dawson, John R↗

Results of an investigation of the acoustic and vibrational environment of a full scale space shuttle orbiter structural test panel with simulated TPS in the Ames unitary plan wind tunnel, model 81-0, test OS8A and B

Results of tests OS8A and B and pertinent test and model information are presented. The test was conducted in two parts. Test OS8A was performed in the NASA/ARC unitary 11-foot section and OS8B was conducted in the NASA/ARC unitary 9 x 7 tunnel. Test objectives were to investigate thermal protection system (TPS) tile sensitivity to extreme pressure gradients and vibration and to define the TPS aerodynamic environment. The model utilized for OS8 was a full-scale representation of a portion of the space shuttle orbiter lower wing carry-through structure forward of the aft tank strut and propellant lines. Thermal protection tiles were simulated on the model. The model was instrumented with static pressure orifices, accelerometers, and dynamic pressure transducers (Kulites). A total rake was utilized to obtain boundary layer surveys.

Kingsland, R. B.↗

Analysis and testing of aeroelastic model stability augmentation systems

Testing and evaluation of a stability augmentation system for aircraft flight control were performed. The flutter suppression system and synthesis conducted on a scale model of a supersonic wing for a transport aircraft are discussed. Mechanization and testing of the leading and trailing edge surface actuation systems are described. The ride control system analyses for a 375,000 pound gross weight B-52E aircraft are presented. Analyses of the B-52E aircraft maneuver load control system are included.

Sevart, F. D.↗

Mechanical design of a rotary balance system for NASA. Langley Research Center's vertical spin tunnel

A new, lightweight Rotary Balance System is presently being fabricated and installed as part of a major upgrade to the existing 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel (Figure 1) located at NASA's Langley Research Center. This upgrade, to improve model testing productivity of the only free-spinning vertical wind tunnel in the Western Hemisphere, includes a modern fan/drive and tunnel control system, an updated video recording system, and the new rotary balance system. The rotary balance is a mechanical apparatus which enables the measurement of aerodynamic force and moment data under spinning conditions (100 rpm). This data is used in spin analysis and is vital to the implementation of large amplitude maneuvering simulations required for all new high performance aircraft. The present system is over 40 years old and is worn beyond acceptable tolerances, as well as being susceptible to frequent breakdowns. It has serious limitations in model weight, position adjustment and spin-rate capabilities. The new rotary balance system described in this report will permit greater test efficiency and improved data accuracy. Rotary Balance testing with the model enclosed in a tare bag can also be performed to obtain resulting model forces from the spinning operation. The rotary balance system will be stored against the tunnel sidewall during free-flight model testing.

J. W. Allred↗

Numerical Codes for the DESC-LSST Analysis Pipeline: Core Cosmology Library Standard Modules and Beyond wCDM Modules (Final Technical Report)

The overall objective of the project is to investigate and develop specific software modules and analysis components for the software pipeline of LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC). Following the key projects of DESC Science Roadmap (SRM), we will write and test computer codes for the Core Cosmology Library (CCL) in order to complete its modules, functionalities, and interface to work with the analysis pipelines from the five science probes of DESC (parts of SRM deliverables CX4.2TJP, CX6.2CS). We will also code modules for CCL to test models beyond w-Cold-Dark-Matter (wCDM) and modification to gravity (MG). Interfaces for MG models will also be developed for the TJPCOSMO software which is the main pipeline of the Theory and Joint Probe (TJP) working group (deliverable TJP2.3). In order to use the full power of LSST data to constrain MG models, we will also work on constraints from nonlinear regime by running and analyzing MG N-Body simulations using a Parameterized-Post-Friedmann framework into the Gadget-2 simulation package (deliverable TJP2.2). Preliminary results for the simulations were obtained in the past. In collaboration with other DESC groups, we plan to make these simulations feedable to cosmic emulators that are practical for likelihood analyzes (deliverable TJP2.2, parts of CX6.2CS). We will also modify and integrate our current codes for consistency tests between data sets and probes into the pipeline (parts of deliverables CX8.2TJP, TJP2.3). We understand that other groups will contribute to some of these objectives but our team will focus and collaborate with others on the particular part of testing MG and models beyond wCDM and refine the DESC pipeline for this purpose. PI has been coordinating his work with the TJP and CS working groups and the DESC management team. PI is a full member of DESC since June 2013. He and his students have been contributing to LSST-DESC activities and work including TJP telecons, collaboration meetings, hack-weeks, and workshops. PI chaired or co-chaired sessions at collaboration meetings and hack-weeks about testing gravity and models beyond wCDM using LSST. He is coordinating the TJP2 projects for testing models beyond wCDM including the writing of DESC-research-note, development of code for pipeline, and N-Body simulations for MG and beyond wCDM models testable with LSST analyses. As stressed in the DESC white paper, SRM, and P5 report, one of the important questions in understanding cosmic acceleration and dark energy is to be able to distinguish whether the acceleration is due to a dark energy component in the universe or a modification to gravity. Answering these questions will have a significant impact on the question of cosmic acceleration and dark energy. The methods that we will use include analytical work, numerical code, and N-Body simulations. A first approach that that we will use consists of using growth rate parameters that enter the perturbed dynamics equations. These parameters take distinctive values for distinct gravity theories and have potential to distinguish between Dark Energy and Modified Gravity. The second method is to look for inconsistencies in Dark Energy parameter spaces using specific combinations of cosmological data sets. Our investigation addresses the Dark Energy problem that is relevant to the mission of the HEP program to understand how our universe works at its most fundamental level. It will allow us to make progress on the HEP mission to explore the nature of Dark Energy and the basic nature of space and time using future surveys such as LSST. The investigation supports the DOE HEP program Cosmic Frontier as it will contribute to the study and understanding of dark energy and fundamental properties of the universe. The investigation contributes directly to LSST-DESC key projects and their deliverables as described in the Science Road-map document to build analysis pipeline and to test dark energy and beyond wCDM models using LSST.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Test Driven Development of Scientific Models

Test-Driven Development (TDD) is a software development process that promises many advantages for developer productivity and has become widely accepted among professional software engineers. As the name suggests, TDD practitioners alternate between writing short automated tests and producing code that passes those tests. Although this overly simplified description will undoubtedly sound prohibitively burdensome to many uninitiated developers, the advent of powerful unit-testing frameworks greatly reduces the effort required to produce and routinely execute suites of tests. By testimony, many developers find TDD to be addicting after only a few days of exposure, and find it unthinkable to return to previous practices. Of course, scientific/technical software differs from other software categories in a number of important respects, but I nonetheless believe that TDD is quite applicable to the development of such software and has the potential to significantly improve programmer productivity and code quality within the scientific community. After a detailed introduction to TDD, I will present the experience within the Software Systems Support Office (SSSO) in applying the technique to various scientific applications. This discussion will emphasize the various direct and indirect benefits as well as some of the difficulties and limitations of the methodology. I will conclude with a brief description of pFUnit, a unit testing framework I co-developed to support test-driven development of parallel Fortran applications.

Clune, Thomas L.↗

Test Driven Development of Scientific Models

Test-Driven Development (TDD), a software development process that promises many advantages for developer productivity and software reliability, has become widely accepted among professional software engineers. As the name suggests, TDD practitioners alternate between writing short automated tests and producing code that passes those tests. Although this overly simplified description will undoubtedly sound prohibitively burdensome to many uninitiated developers, the advent of powerful unit-testing frameworks greatly reduces the effort required to produce and routinely execute suites of tests. By testimony, many developers find TDD to be addicting after only a few days of exposure, and find it unthinkable to return to previous practices.After a brief overview of the TDD process and my experience in applying the methodology for development activities at Goddard, I will delve more deeply into some of the challenges that are posed by numerical and scientific software as well as tools and implementation approaches that should address those challenges.

Overview of TDD Process↗

Vadose and Saturated Zone Flow and Transport Model Package Report for the Active Trenches of the Low-Level Burial Grounds, Hanford Site, Washington

This model package report (MPR) documents the development of the integrated vadose and saturated zone flow and transport model developed for the performance assessment of Trenches 31 and 34 in the low-level burial grounds (LLBGs). This modeling capability is intended for use in addressing the analysis requirements outlined in DOE O 435.1, Chg 1, Radioactive Waste Management1. The overall objective of the modeling effort is to provide a basis for making informed disposal decisions pertinent to Trenches 31 and 34. The purpose of the MPR is to document the development of the three-dimensional numerical vadose zone and saturated flow and transport model test case and evaluate its adequacy to support the LLBG performance assessment. The purpose is not to present results for DOE 435.1 decision making. The use of the model to perform base case and sensitivity analysis for the LLBG performance assessment, including inputs and results, is documented separately in subsequent environmental calculation files. This report discusses the development and translation of the conceptual model for flow and contaminant transport into the LLBG performance assessment three-dimensional numerical flow and transport model evaluated using the Subsurface Transport Over Multiple Phases (STOMP©) simulator. The development of representative geologic framework is described along with the implementation of waste release models used to represent contaminant release from waste disposed in the trenches. The report also provides the technical basis for specific model parameters and boundary conditions, along with description of modeling assumptions. This MPR includes certain calculations that are necessary to demonstrate the soundness of the model. Results provided by the model include vadose zone and saturated zone flow fields, and estimates of the possible future concentration in groundwater of technetium-99 and iodine-129 as example test cases. As an evaluation of the test cases, the model estimates of current vadose conditions are compared to available and analogous field and laboratory data, and compared to the results from the original performance assessment model (WHC-EP-0645, Performance Assessment for the Disposal of Low-Level Waste in the 200 West Area Burial Grounds 2 ). The features, events, and processes applicable to vadose zone and saturated zone flow and transport model are identified, and representative initial estimates for various parameters are documented. Note that the parameter estimates presented in this MPR are for illustration purposes, and may or may not reflect values selected for eventual performance assessment. Several key topical discussions (i.e., basis for recharge estimates, basis for vadose zone modeling, basis for saturated zone model development, and calibration) are included, which serve as the groundwork for confidence building for the groundwater pathway modeling and results. Numerical simulation results based on an example test case are included to illustrate the use of the combined saturated-unsaturated model in performance assessment calculations. Sensitivity and uncertainty results are not included in this MPR. Those results will be included in future environmental calculation files. The inclusion of the trapezoidal trench geometry and construction details in the finite difference grid introduces some gross simplifications regarding the trench and liner systems. The model test case presented in this MPR includes the assumption that the trench liner system does not affect flow through or around the trenches after the liner system is assumed to fail. This MPR also includes results of other test cases that involve alternate assumptions about how to incorporate the hydraulic effects of the trenches into the vadose zone of the model. These alternate cases do not attempt to account for the presence of the liner system after its assumed failure either. None of these cases is considered to be the base case at this time. Analysis and alternate cases that attempt to account for the presence of the liner system in greater detail, and its effect on flow through and around it, are to be documented in subsequent environmental calculation files. Depending on the results of those analyses and alternate cases, the eventual base case may involve more detailed inclusion of the effects of the liner system hydraulics.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Summary of Free-Flight Zero-Lift Drag Results from Tests of 1/5-Scale Models of the Convair YF-102 and F-102A Airplanes and Several Related Small Equivalent Bodies at Mach Numbers from 0.70 to 1.46

One-fifth-scale rocket-propelled models of the Convair YF-102 and F-102A airplanes were tested to determine free-flight zero-lift drag coefficients through the transonic speed range at Reynolds numbers near those to be encountered by the full-scale airplane. Trim and duct characteristics were obtained along with measurements of total-, internal-, and base-drag coefficients. Additional zero-lift drag tests involved a series of small equivalent-body-of-revolution models which were launched to low supersonic speeds by means of a helium gun. The several small models tested corresponded to the following full-scale airplanes: basic, YF-102, 2-foot (full-scale) fuselage extension, F-102A, F-102A (relocated inlets), F-102A (faired nose), and F-102A (parabolic nose) . Equivalent-body models corresponding to the normal area distribution (derived for Mach number 1.0) of each of these airplane shapes were flown and, in addition, equivalent-body models designed to represent the YF-102 and F-102A airplanes at Mach number 1.2 were tested. External-drag coefficients obtained from the 115-scale tests ranged from 0.0094 to 0.0273 for the YF-102 model and from 0.0100 to 0.0255 for the F-102A model. Forebody external-pressure-drag coefficients (drag rise) at Mach number 1.05 of 0.0183 and 0.0134 were obtained from the 115-scale models of the YF-102 and F-102A, respectively, a 16-percent reduction for the F-102A model. Values of drag rise at Mach number 1.05 from the small equivalent-body tests were nearly the same for the basic, YF-102, and 2-foot-fuselage-extension airplane shapes. Equivalent-body tests of the YF-102 and F-102A shapes showed the latter to have about 25 percent less drag rise as compared with a 16-percent reduction illustrated by the 1/5-scale tests. Additional equivalent-body tests illustrating effects of modifications to the F-102A airplane shape shared that relocating the inlets on the fuselage or altering the nose shape to provide a smoother cross-sectional area progression reduced the drag rise by approximately 16 percent. Replacing a major portion of the nose of the F-102A equivalent-body model with one of parabolic shape resulted in about a 21-percent reduction in drag rise. The drag-rise data from the equivalent-body tests include base drag.

Wallskog, Harvey A.↗

Dynamic testing for shuttle design verification

Space shuttle design verification requires dynamic data from full scale structural component and assembly tests. Wind tunnel and other scaled model tests are also required early in the development program to support the analytical models used in design verification. Presented is a design philosophy based on mathematical modeling of the structural system strongly supported by a comprehensive test program; some of the types of required tests are outlined.

Green, C. E.↗

Methods for data reduction and loads analysis of Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster model water impact tests

The methodology used to predict full scale space shuttle solid rocket booster (SRB) water impact loads from scale model test data is described. Tests conducted included 12.5 inch and 120 inch diameter models of the SRB. Geometry and mass characteristics of the models were varied in each test series to reflect the current SRB baseline configuration. Nose first and tail first water entry modes were investigated with full-scale initial impact vertical velocities of 40 to 120 ft/sec, horizontal velocities of 0 to 60 ft/sec., and off-vertical angles of 0 to plus or minus 30 degrees. The test program included a series of tests with scaled atmospheric pressure.

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