Study on determining stability domains for nonlinear dynamical systems Final report 1 May 1966 - 1 Feb. 1967
Numerical procedure for determining stability domains in nonlinear dynamical systems
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Numerical procedure for determining stability domains in nonlinear dynamical systems
Topics presented include asymptotic analysis and computation for shells, the edge effects in the Reissner-Mindlin plate theory, nonlinear problems of geometrically exact shell theories, and developments in variational methods for high performance plate and shell elements. Also presented are an assumed strain solid element model for geometrically nonlinear shell analysis, shell finite elements with six degrees of freedom per node, hierarchic plate and shell models based on p-extension, and a simple shell element formulation for large-scale elastoplastic analysis. Also discussed are the assessment of computational models for multilayered composite cylinders, shell models for impact analysis, analysis of shell structures subjected to contact-impacts, and the application of shell theory to cardiac mechanics.
Recent advances in parallel methods and algorithms integrated into large-scale codes are presented. Consideration is given to problem decomposition (substructuring), efficient matrix solution algorithms for shared memory architectures, dynamic and transient analysis algorithms for shared memory architectures, and algorithms for distributed and massively parallel architectures. Particular attention is given to partitioning of unstructured problems for parallel processing, parallel-vector computation for linear-structural analysis and nonlinear unconstraint optimization problems, a parallel-vector equation solver for unsymmetric matrices on supercomputers, parallel nonlinear finite element dynamic response, multigrid algorithms for solving structural mechanics problems on supercomputers, structural analysis on massively parallel computers, explicit finite element methods with contact-impact on SIMD computers, and the impact of mapping and sparsity on parallelized finite element method modules.
Design and construction of a structure on planetary surfaces requires addressing a host of issues not encountered on earth. A modular quilted inflatable structure consisting of thin membranes of composite material integrated with supporting columns and arches is proposed. An initial linear analysis of the structure is briefly reviewed. The actual response of an inflatable membrane is nonlinear and, hence, a nonlinear numerical analysis of the stresses and displacements was undertaken. Results based on the loadings on a lunar structure clearly indicate that an inflatable structure is a feasible concept and is ideally suited for a planetary surface structure.
Nonlinear modeling and optimization is a valuable tool for aiding decisions by engineering practitioners, but programming an optimization problem based on a complex electrical, mechanical, or chemical process is a time-consuming and error-prone activity. Therefore, there is a need for model analysis and debugging tools that can detect and diagnose modeling errors. One such tool is the Dulmage–Mendelsohn decomposition, which identifies structurally under- and over-determined subsets in systems of equations and variables by partitioning the bipartite graph of the system. This work provides the necessary background to understand the Dulmage–Mendelsohn decomposition and its application to the analysis of nonlinear optimization problems, demonstrates its use in diagnosing a variety of modeling errors, and introduces software implementations for analyzing nonlinear optimization problems in the Pyomo and JuMP algebraic modeling languages.
This manual comprises a variety of demonstration cases for the HITCAN (HIgh Temperature Composite ANalyzer) code. HITCAN is a general purpose computer program for predicting nonlinear global structural and local stress-strain response of arbitrarily oriented, multilayered high temperature metal matrix composite structures. HITCAN is written in FORTRAN 77 computer language and has been configured and executed on the NASA Lewis Research Center CRAY XMP and YMP computers. Detailed description of all program variables and terms used in this manual may be found in the User's Manual. The demonstration includes various cases to illustrate the features and analysis capabilities of the HITCAN computer code. These cases include: (1) static analysis, (2) nonlinear quasi-static (incremental) analysis, (3) modal analysis, (4) buckling analysis, (5) fiber degradation effects, (6) fabrication-induced stresses for a variety of structures; namely, beam, plate, ring, shell, and built-up structures. A brief discussion of each demonstration case with the associated input data file is provided. Sample results taken from the actual computer output are also included.
The development of the NASTRAN computer program, a general purpose finite element computer code for structural analysis, was discussed. The application and development of NASTRAN is presented in the following topics: improvements and enhancements; developments of pre and postprocessors; interactive review system; the use of harmonic expansions in magnetic field problems; improving a dynamic model with test data using Linwood; solution of axisymmetric fluid structure interaction problems; large displacements and stability analysis of nonlinear propeller structures; prediction of bead area contact load at the tire wheel interface; elastic plastic analysis of an overloaded breech ring; finite element solution of torsion and other 2-D Poisson equations; new capability for elastic aircraft airloads; usage of substructuring analysis in the get away special program; solving symmetric structures with nonsymmetric loads; evaluation and reduction of errors induced by Guyan transformation.
A concurrent processing algorithm is developed for materially nonlinear stability analysis of imperfect columns with biaxial partial rotational end restraints. The algorithm for solving the governing nonlinear ordinary differential equations is implemented on a multiprocessor computer called the 'Finite Element Machine', developed at the NASA Langley Research Center. Numerical results are obtained on up to nine concurrent processors. A substantial computational gain is achieved in using the parallel processing approach.
Design and construction of a structure on the moon requires addressing a host of issues not encountered on earth. A modular quilted inflatable structure consisting of thin membranes of composite material integrated with supporting columns and arches is proposed. An initial linear analysis of the proposed structure is briefly reviewed. The actual response of an inflatable membrane is nonlinear and, hence, a nonlinear numerical analysis for the stresses and displacements was undertaken. Initial results clearly indicate that an inflatable structure is a feasible concept and is ideally suited for a lunar structure.
Describing-function analysis of launch vehicle stability with nonlinear thrust vectoring
The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) accelerator is being upgraded to increase the beam power from 1.4MW at 1GeV to 2.8MW at 1.3GeV. The currents in the middle two injection chicane magnets cannot simply be scaled up to accommodate the increased injection energy of 1.3GeV due to potential excessive H- stripping; the magnets must be replaced with longer, lower-field magnets and the associated vacuum chambers need to be redesigned. A new teardrop-shaped vacuum chamber was initially designed to accommodate the new magnets and the updated beam paths and instrumentation. This paper focuses on the structural stability study of the teardrop shape vacuum chamber based on buckling analysis. Protection against collapse from buckling according to the ASME BPVC requirement has been evaluated in depth. First, a Type-1 bifurcation buckling analysis using a linear eigenvalue solution to determine the critical load factor was performed. Subsequently, a Type-3 nonlinear collapse analysis was conducted using the static Riks method with elastic-plastic material properties and imperfections explicitly considered in the model geometry. The critical buckling load for the teardrop shape vacuum chamber was confidently estimated based upon this two-stage approach.
The constructed SRB math model was used for the analysis of the 85/32/5(VV/VH/theta) cavity collapse load condition for the aft end of the SRB structure. Linear, nonlinear collapse and bifurcation buckling analyses were performed. The linear and bifurcation buckling analyses showed that structural integrity and positive margins of safety are maintained for the applied maximum load case using a design factor of 1.25. The nonlinear collapse analysis predicts stresses in the skirt above the yield for a load factor of 1.0. Applying the 1.25 design factor gives a negative margin of safety against the material ultimate. The predicted collapse occurs at a load factor higher than 1.25.
A general purpose squeeze-film damper interactive force element was developed, coded into a software package (module) and debugged. This software package was applied to nonliner dynamic analyses of some simple rotor systems. Results for pressure distributions show that the long bearing (end sealed) is a stronger bearing as compared to the short bearing as expected. Results of the nonlinear dynamic analysis, using a four degree of freedom simulation model, showed that the orbit of the rotating shaft increases nonlinearity to fill the bearing clearance as the unbalanced weight increases.
Accomplishments of the past year and plans for the coming year are highlighted as they relate to five year plans and the objectives of the following technical areas: aerothermal loads; multidisciplinary analysis and optimization; unsteady aerodynamics; and configuration aeroelasticity. Areas of interest include thermal protection system concepts, active control, nonlinear aeroelastic analysis, aircraft aeroelasticity, and rotorcraft aeroelasticity and vibrations.
Future large infrared space telescopes, such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), will require deployable sunshields to provide passive cooling for optics and instruments. Deployable sunshield structures for such applications typically consist of multiple thin-film membrane layers supported by deployable booms. The mechanical design of the sunshield must accommodate thermal strains due to layer-to-layer temperature differences as well as potentially large in-plane temperature gradients within individual film layers. This paper describes a thermal-structural analysis for predicting the stress state in a thin-film membrane subject to both mechanical thermal loads that could aid in the mechanical design of future sunshield structures. First the temperature field predicted by a thermal analysis is mapped to a structural finite element model, and then the structural response is predicted using a nonlinear static analysis. The structural model uses membrane elements in conjunction with a tension field material model to predict the response of the thin-film membrane layer. The tension field material model accounts for no-compression behavior associated with wrinkling and slackness. This approach was used to study the problem of a single membrane layer from the NASA reference concept for the JWST sunshield. Results from the analysis show that the membrane can experience a loss of tensile preload due to the presence of an in-plane temperature gradient representative of the cold-side layer temperature distribution predicted for the reference concept JWST.
The paper outlines the nonlinear dynamic analysis of an isolated three-degree flap-lag-feather wind turbine blade under a gravity field and with shear flow. Lagrangian equations are used to derive the nonlinear equations of motion of blade for arbitrarily large angular deflections. The limit cycle analysis for forced oscillations and the determination of the principal parametric resonance of the blade due to periodic forces from the gravity field and wind shear are performed using the harmonic balance method. Results are obtained first for a two-degree flap-lag blade, then the effect of the third degree of freedom (feather) is studied. The self-excited flutter solutions are obtained for a uniform wind and with gravity forces neglected. The effects of several parameters on the blade stability are examined, including coning angle, structural damping, Lock number, and feather frequency. The limit cycle flutter solution of a typical configuration shows a substantial nonlinear softening spring behavior.
A reduction method which combines classical Rayleigh-Ritz modal superposition techniques with contemporary finite-element methods is applied to transient nonlinear thermal analysis of aerospace structures. The essence of the method is the use of a few thermal modes from eigenvalue analyses as basis vectors to represent the temperature response in the structure. The method is used to obtain approximate temperature histories for a portion of the Shuttle orbiter wing subject to reentry heating and for a large space antenna reflector subject to heating associated with a low Earth orbit. The reduction method has excellent potential for significant size reduction for radiation-dominated problems such as the antenna reflector. However, for conduction-dominated problems such as the Shuttle wing, especially those with complex spatial and temporal variations in the applied heating, additional work appears necessary to find alternate sources of basis vectors which will permit significant problem size reductions.
The structural behavior of stiffened fuselage shells with local cracks is influenced by the local deformations and stress gradients near the cracks, and this behavior must be understood to predict fuselage structural integrity and residual strength. As a crack grows, the stiffness and internal load distributions in a stiffened shell change, affecting the local deformations and stress gradients near the crack. Transport fuselage shells are designed to support internal pressure and mechanical loads which cause a geometrically nonlinear response. Research is being conducted at NASA LaRC to develop and demonstrate a verified nonlinear stiffened shell analysis methodology for accurately predicting the global and local behavior of nonlinear stiffened fuselage shells with local cracks and with combined internal pressure and mechanical loads. The nonlinear structural analysis methodology being developed and planned at NASA LaRC for damaged stiffened fuselage shells and the experiments being planned to verify this analysis methodology are summarized in the present paper.