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At least 739 records · Page 41
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Optimization of space structures

Computational methods for the design of structures for specified transient response, truss beam units with specified attached vibration absorbers, and laminates for structural components of large space structures are examined. Equations for the measurement of structural stiffness that are maximized for a specific total mass and that will reduce the structural weight are presented. A model for a cantilevered space truss beam of a specific mass and with a specified tip vibration absorber is explained. Design criteria of the laminates include minimizing the weight as well as frequency, buckling, and global stiffness constraints. Other variables include orientation of the lamina and the thickness of each layer.

Reiss, R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Dynamics of early planetary gear trains

A method to analyze the static and dynamic loads in a planetary gear train was developed. A variable-variable mesh stiffness (VVMS) model was used to simulate the external and internal spur gear mesh behavior, and an equivalent conventional gear train concept was adapted for the dynamic studies. The analysis can be applied either involute or noninvolute spur gearing. By utilizing the equivalent gear train concept, the developed method may be extended for use for all types of epicyclic gearing. The method is incorporated into a computer program so that the static and dynamic behavior of individual components can be examined. Items considered in the analysis are: (1) static and dynamic load sharing among the planets; (2) floating or fixed Sun gear; (3) actual tooth geometry, including errors and modifications; (4) positioning errors of the planet gears; (5) torque variations due to noninvolute gear action. A mathematical model comprised of power source, load, and planetary transmission is used to determine the instantaneous loads to which the components are subjected. It considers fluctuating output torque, elastic behavior in the system, and loss of contact between gear teeth. The dynamic model has nine degrees of freedom resulting in a set of simultaneous second order differential equations with time varying coefficients, which are solved numerically. The computer program was used to determine the effect of manufacturing errors, damping and component stiffness, and transmitted load on dynamic behavior. It is indicated that this methodology offers the designer/analyst a comprehensive tool with which planetary drives may be quickly and effectively evaluated.

August, R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Stability and Convergence of Underintegrated Finite Element Approximations

The effects of underintegration on the numerical stability and convergence characteristics of certain classes of finite element approximations were analyzed. Particular attention is given to hourglassing instabilities that arise from underintegrating the stiffness matrix entries and checkerboard instabilities that arise from underintegrating constrain terms such as those arising from incompressibility conditions. A fundamental result reported here is the proof that the fully integrated stiffness is restored in some cases through a post-processing operation.

Oden, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Hole interaction and load introduction effects for compression-loaded laminates with holes

The effects of hole interaction and load introduction for (+ or - 30/90) sub 8 (s) and (+ or - 45) sub 12 (s) laminates with holes was conducted. A hole interaction region was identified in some specimens, and this region was ineffective for carrying load. The membrane stiffness of a specimen with a hole interaction region is less than the membrane stiffness of a similar specimen without a hole interaction region. A load introduction effect that occurs on the sublaminate level was also observed. This effect can cause a nonuniform load diffusion into the interior of the specimen.

Shuart, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Interlaminar fracture toughness of composites. II - Refinement of the edge delamination test and application to thermoplastics

The mixed mode interlaminar fracture toughness, G(c), is obtained for the two thermoplastic matrices UDEL P1700 polysulfone and ULTEM polyetherimide by means of edge delamination tensile (EDT) tests on unnotched, eleven-ply graphite fiber reinforced composite specimens. A novel method is used to obtain the stiffness parameter employed in the closed form equation for the calculation of G(c), decreasing the number of stiffness measurements required and simplifying the calculations. The G(Ic) values from double cantilever beam (DCB) measurements on composites of the two thermoplastics were similar to each other, but slightly higher than the G(c) data obtained by EDT. Interfacial resin/fiber failures predominated in both the EDT and DCB tests.

Johnston, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

System identification of analytical models of damped structures

A procedure is presented for identifying linear nonproportionally damped system. The system damping is assumed to be representable by a real symmetric matrix. Analytical mass, stiffness and damping matrices which constitute an approximate representation of the system are assumed to be available. Given also are an incomplete set of measured natural frequencies, damping ratios and complex mode shapes of the structure, normally obtained from test data. A method is developed to find the smallest changes in the analytical model so that the improved model can exactly predict the measured modal parameters. The present method uses the orthogonality relationship to improve mass and damping matrices and the dynamic equation to find the improved stiffness matrix.

Fuh, J.-S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Buckling of imperfect periodic lattice structures

A simplified buckling analysis is presented for a family of periodic lattice structures such as those proposed for large space structures. A transcendental 6 x 6 matrix of eigenvalues is shown to be sufficient for modeling buckling behavior because member stiffnesses are based on an exact solution of the beam-column equation. Exact stiffnesses are derived for a curved member, thus allowing modeling of imperfect lattice structures. Comparisons of predictions of the lattice model with those available from shell and beam theory underscore the inaccuracies introduced by treating the lattice structure as a continuum. Sample calculations are provided for an isogrid cylinder and a three element double-laced truss.

Anderson, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Measured and calculated inplane stability characteristics for an advanced bearingless main rotor

A program of experimental and analytical research has been performed to demonstrate the effects of rotor and fuselage design parameters on rotor in-plane stability, including aeromechanical stability. The experimental data were obtained from hover and wind-tunnel tests of a scaled advanced bearingless main rotor model. Both isolated-rotor and free-hub conditions were tested. Test parameters included blade built-in cone and sweep angles; rotor inplane structural stiffness and damping; pitch link stiffness and location; and fuselage natural frequency, damping, and inertia. The results show that rotor blade structural damping is one of the most influential design parameters in obtaining acceptable aeromechanical stability margins. Other parameters, such as blade cone angle, pitch link location (rotor delta 3) and anisotropic hub damper configurations, may be used to improve stability margins, but their individual effects are subtle.

Weller, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Advanced composite stabilizer for Boeing 737 aircraft

Activities related to development of an advanced composites stabilizer for the Boeing 737 commercial transport are reported. Activities include discussion of the design and weight status, stiffness requirements, the finite element model, test programs, quality assurance, and manufacturing producibility studies. Design details of the graphite/epoxy components are virtually complete. Emphasis is placed on the metal and fiberglass trailing edge components. The bending and torsional stiffness properties are satisfactory for both stability/control and for flutter requirements. The finite element model input geometry is revised to reflect the latest changes to production drawings.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1984

Parallel triangularization of substructured finite element problems

Much of the computational effort of the finite element process involves the solution of a system of linear equations. The coefficient matrix of this system, known as the global stiffness matrix, is symmetric, positive definite, and generally sparse. An important technique for reducing the time required to solve this system is substructuring or matrix partitioning. Substructuring is based on the idea of dividing a structure into pieces, each of which can then be analyzed relatively indepenently. As a result of this division, each point in the finite element discretization is either interior to a substructure or on a boundary between substructures. Contributions to the global stiffness matrix from connections between boundary points from the K(bb) matrix are reported. The triangularization of a general K(bb) matrix on a parallel machine is specifically discussed.

Leuze, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Experimental investigation of lateral forces induced by flow through model labyrinth glands

The lateral forces induced by flow through model labyrinth glands were investigated. Circumferential pressure distributions, lateral forces and stiffness coefficients data obtained are discussed. The force system is represented as a negative spring and a tangential force orthogonal to eccentricity. The magnitude of these forces are dependent on eccentricity, entry swirl, rotor peripheral velocity and seal size. A pressure equalization chamber at midgland tests should in significantly reduced forces and stiffness coefficients.

Leong, Y. M. M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A numerical method for interface problems in elastodynamics

The numerical implementation of a formulation for a class of interface problems in elastodynamics is discussed. This formulation combines the use of the finite element and boundary integral methods to represent the interior and the exteriro regions, respectively. In particular, the response of a semicylindrical alluvial valley in a homogeneous halfspace to incident antiplane SH waves is considered to determine the accuracy and convergence of the numerical procedure. Numerical results are obtained from several combinations of the incidence angle, frequency of excitation, and relative stiffness between the inclusion and the surrounding halfspace. The results tend to confirm the theoretical estimates that the convergence is of the order H(2) for the piecewise linear elements used. It was also observed that the accuracy descreases as the frequency of excitation increases or as the relative stiffness of the inclusion decreases.

Mcghee, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A 4-node Bilinear Isoparametric Element in Rockwell NASTRAN

The development and evaluation of the Rockwell NASTRAN four node quadrilateral (QUAD4) element is presented. The element derivation utilizes bilinear isoparametric techniques both for membrane and bending characteristics. The QUAD4 element coordinate system, membrane properties, lumped mass matrix, and treatment of warping are based upon the COSMIC/NASTRAN QDMEMI element while the bending characteristics are based on a paper by T. J. R. Hughes. The effects of warping on the bending stiffness, consistent mass, and geometric stiffness are based upon a paper by R. H. MacNeal. Numerical integration is accomplished by Gaussian quadrature on a 2 x 2 grid. Practical user support features include variable element thickness, thermal analysis and layered composite material definitions.

Liao, C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Finite Element Prediction of Loss Factors for Structures with Frequency-dependent Damping Treatments

A finite element procedure is described for calculating the loss factors for elastic structures to which frequency-dependent viscoelastic damping treatments were applied. The frequency dependence of the viscoelastic damping material is treated by approximating its shear modulus with a second-order polynomial so that the stiffnesses associated with the constant, linear, and quadratic terms can be combined, respectively, with the stiffness, damping, and mass matrices assembled for the rest of the structure. A single complex eigenvalue analysis is then performed in which the eigenvalues are purely imaginary. The loss factor is computed by the modal strain energy (MSE) approach. In the the MSE approach, the loss factor of a composite structure vibrating in one of its natural modes may be visualized as a weighted average of the loss factors of the component parts, with the relative stored energies as weighting constants. The finite element procedure, which can treat very general geometries, is illustrated for the case of a vibrating constrained-layer damped plate.

Everstine, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The properties of thin-section, four-point-contact ball bearings in space

Thin section, four-point-contact ball bearings are increasinly employed in spacecraft mechanisms because of the potential advantages they offer. However, litte was previously known of their torque, thermal conductance and stiffness properties at conditions anticipated for their use in space. An investigation of these properties are described. It was found that frictional (Coulomb) torque, thermal conductance and stiffness all show marked dependence on the bearing preload, the housing design, the bearing external fit (i.e., free fit or interference) and on the thermal gradient across the races. Optimum bearing performance is achieved only if these properties are well understood. The necessary data to understand these properties are provided.

Rowntree, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Elastic continua in high frequency excitation field

The response of elastic continua to high-frequency excitations is decomposed in two parts: 'slow' motion which practically remains unchanged during a vanishingly small period of time, and 'fast' motions whose mean value during this period is negligible but whose energy contribution is essential. After such a decomposition the 'slow' and 'fast' motions become non-linearly coupled by the corresponding governing equations. This coupling leads to an additional 'effective' potential energy which changes the 'mean' stiffness characteristics. The results can be used for dynamical stiffening of flexible structural elements, for a temporary increase of their stiffness in the course of occasional loads to prevent buckling or wrinkling.

Zak, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Large deflection behavior of quasi-isotropic laminates under low-velocity impact type point loading

Eight-ply quasi-isotropic circular composite plates of Thornel 300 graphite in Narmco 5208 epoxy resin (T300/5208) were analyzed to obtain the large deformation behavior under low-velocity impact type point loads. A simple plate-membrane coupling model was developed. The impact type point loads were replaced by equivalent quasi-static point loads. The plate-membrane coupling model was used to obtain the large deformation shapes for the thin circular composite laminates. The analyses indicated that the large deformation shapes of the composite plates under point loads vary with the center point displacements, and hence are different for different load levels. Quasi-isotropic plates were analyzed by replacing anisotropic bending stiffness components with the equivalent flexural stiffness for the isotropic plates. The plate-membrane coupling model was verified by conducting a series of tests on clamped circular quasi-isotropic laminates. Deflected shapes for the thin composite plates were experimentally obtained. These shapes agreed well with the analytically predicted shapes.

Kelkar, A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Pantographing self adaptive gap elements

This paper develops a so-called pantographing self adaptive gap element type contact strategy. Due to the manner of formulation, the scheme has the capability to handle large deformations in the contact zone; contact initiation in structure exhibiting either positive or indefinite stiffness characteristics; kinematic and material nonlinearity as well as; self adaptively adjusts load/time stepping. In this context, contact in pre and postbuckling structure can be treated. To illustrate the scheme, several benchmark problems are presented. These include contacting structure involving large deformation kinematics, inelastic behavior as well as pre and postbuckling stiffness characteristics.

Padovan, J.↗