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At least 739 records · Page 41

Dynamic response of damaged angleplied fiber composites

An investigation was conducted to determine the effects of low level damage induced by monotonic load, cyclic load and/or residual stresses on the vibration frequencies and damping factors of fiber composite angleplied laminates. Two different composite systems were studied - low modulus fiber and ultra high modulus fiber composites. The results obtained showed that the frequencies and damping factors of angleplied laminates made from low modulus fiber composites are sensitive to low level damage while those made from ultra high modulus composites are not. Also, vibration tests may not be sufficiently sensitive to assess concentrated local damage in angleplied laminates. And furthermore, dynamic response determined from low-velocity impact coupled with the Fast Fourier Transform and packaged in a minicomputer can be a convenient procedure for assessing low-level damage in fiber composite angleplied laminates.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Active damping of modal vibrations by force apportioning

The theory and numerical simulation of active structural damping is described which requires few discrete control thrusters positioned on the structure. A particular apportioning of coherently phased control forces is applied for each vibration mode which is to be damped; this strongly affects the damped vibration mode, while minimally exciting all other modes. The force apportioning used is that which would tune a target mode if the structure was being shaken in a model vibration test. In contrast to model testing, the forces are varied temporally so as to dampen, rather than excite, the target mode(s).

Hallauer, W. L., Jr.↗

Dynamic modulus and damping of boron, silicon carbide, and alumina fibers

The dynamic modulus and damping capacity for boron, silicon carbide, and silicon carbide-coated boron fibers were measured from -190 to 800 C. The single fiber vibration test also allowed measurement of transverse thermal conductivity for the silicon carbide fibers. Temperature-dependent damping capacity data for alumina fibers were calculated from axial damping results for alumina-aluminum composites. The dynamic fiber data indicate essentially elastic behavior for both the silicon carbide and alumina fibers. In contrast, the boron-based fibers are strongly anelastic, displaying frequency-dependent moduli and very high microstructural damping. The single fiber damping results were compared with composite damping data in order to investigate the practical and basic effects of employing the four fiber types as reinforcement for aluminum and titanium matrices.

Dicarlo, J. A.↗

Improved orthogonality check for measured modes

A method is proposed for performing an orthogonality check for normal modes derived from ground vibration testing. The method utilizes partitioned mass and stiffness matrices for a linear undamped representation of a structure. The normalization of the modes by the proposed method inherently includes the effects of significant displacements which were not measured; and the method may allow the use of fewer measurement points than would be necessary with the conventional method.

Berman, A.↗

Space Shuttle External Tank Project status

The External Tank Project is reviewed with emphasis on the DDT&E and production phases and the lightweight tank development. It is noted that the DDT&E phase is progressing well with the structural and ground vibration test article programs complete, the propulsion test article program progressing well, and the component qualification and verification testing 92% complete. New tools and facilities are being brought on line to support the increased build rate for the production phase. The lightweight tank, which will provide additional payload in orbit, is progressing to schedule with first delivery in early 1982.

Davis, R. M.↗

Wire-Wrap Chatter Detector

Monitoring circuit responds to changes in resistance as little as 0.1 ohm. Has been used to detect defective wire-wrap connections during thermal and vibration tests. Defect is indicated to operator by light-emitting diode and by increase in count on a two-digit display.

Fisch, G. Z.↗

Flutter clearance of the horizontal tail of the Bellanca Skyrocket II airplane

The Skyrocket II is an all composite constructed experimental prototype airplane. A flutter clearance program was conducted on the horizontal tail so that the airplane could be safely flown to acquire natural laminar flow aerodynamic data. Ground vibration test data were used in a lifting surface flutter analysis to predict symmetric and antisymmetric flutter boundaries. Subcritical response data which were acquired during flight tests are compared with the analytical results. The final flutter clearance placard speed was based on flight test data.

Ricketts, R. H.↗

The evolution of a release-engage mechanism for use on the orbiter

The Release-Engage Mechanism (REM) is designed to secure a deployable payload in the orbiter during launch and to enable the payload to be released, deployed, and reattached for re-entry. This paper presents the following: (1) the initial design concepts of the Release-Engage Mechanism; (2) the problems encountered during assembly, (3) the abnormalities that occurred during vibration testing, (4) the incompatibility of the Remote Manipulator System and REM operation, and (5) the resulting modifications to the REM that assured its successful performance on two Shuttle flights.

Calvert, J.↗

NASA/USAF research in structural dynamics

Research in the structural dynamics of large space structures is discussed. The problems of structural response are emphasized. Dynamic modeling, structural members, finite element techniques, axial loads, and vibration tests are among the topics discussed.

Pinson, L. D.↗

Evaluation of mounting bolt loads for Space Shuttle Get Away Special (GAS) adapter beam

During the prototype vibration tests of the GAS adapter beam, significant impacting of the beam at its support points was observed. The cause of the impacting was traced to gaps under the mounting bolt heads. Because of the nonlinear nature of the response, it was difficult to evaluate the effects which Shuttle launch dynamics might have on the mounting bolt loads. A series of tests were conducted on an electrodynamic exciter in which the transient acceleration time histories, which had been measured during the Space Transportation System-1 (STS-1; Space Shuttle mission 1) launch, were simulated. The actual flight data had to be filtered and compensated so that it could be reproduced on the shaker without exceeding displacement and velocity limitations. Mounting bolt loads were measured directly by strain gages applied to the bolts. Various gap thicknesses and bolt torques were investigated. Although increased gap thickness resulted in greater accelerations due to impacting, the bolt loads were not significantly affected. This is attributed to the fact that impacting excited mostly higher frequency modes which do not have significant modal mass.

Talapatra, D. C.↗

Analysis of STS-3 Get Away Special (GAS) flight data and vibration specification for gas payloads

During the Space Transportation System (STS)-3 mission, a Get Away Special (GAS) canister was flown. In order to determine the flight environment for GAS payloads, triaxial accelerometers and a microphone were installed inside the GAS canister. Data from these accelerometers and the microphone were analyzed. The microphone data is presented as overall sound pressure level (SPL) and one-third octave band time history plots. And the accelerometer data is provided in the forms of instantaneous time history, RMS time history and power spectral density plots. Also based on this flight data, vibration test specification for GAS payloads was developed and the recommended specification is presented here.

Talapatra, D. C.↗

Stability, vibration and passive damping of partially restrained imperfect columns

A theoretical and experimental study of slender tubular columns for possible use in space structures is conducted in the presence of partial rotational end restraints. Explicit formulas are derived for computing the buckling load and the lowest natural frequency of perfectly straight uniform elastic members with rotational end restraints possessing linear moment-rotation characteristics. An exact solution in the form of a transcendental equation, and a numerical solution using second-order finite-differences are also presented. The presence of an initial imperfection is also incorporated into the numerical procedure. Vibration tests are conducted on an imperfect tubular steel member in the absence of an axial load. A damping concept consisting of a string-mass assembly is explored. Three passive damping configurations involving combinations of three lead shots were investigated. The three lead shot configurations provided considerably greater damping than the single lead shot.

Razzaq, Z.↗

Experimental determination of the inertia constants of an airplane or of a missile

The possibility to measure the inertia constants of an airplane or of a missile by a unique experimental set up without having to materialize axes of rotation was investigated. It is sufficient to suspend the structure appropriately, to obtain the six natural modes determined by the suspension and to introduce these results as data into a computer. If the structure is very flexible it is necessary to take into account the first natural modes of deformation. Experiments on rigid and flexible models led to precise results and allow consideration of full scale measurements. The final goal is to provide, by a standard ground vibration test completed by the measured characteristics of the suspension modes, the set of data necessary for flutter calculations and for the determination of all the inertia constants.

Loiseau, H.↗

Stiffness Study of Wound-Filament Pressure Vessels

Report presents theoretical and experimental study of stiffness of lightweight, jointed pressure vessels made of wound graphite fibers and epoxy. Specimens fabricated from layers of graphite fibers, wet with epoxy, on aluminum mandrel. Segment ends thickened with interspersed layers of axially oriented fibers to reduce pinhole bearing stresses and local deformations. Segments cured at 390 degrees F (199 degrees C). Report presents results of vibrational tests of one-quarter-scale models of wound-filament pressure vessels.

Verderaime, V.↗

A normal incidence, high resolution X-ray telescope for solar coronal observations

The following major activities were advanced or completed: complete design of the entire telescope assembly and fabrication of all front-end components; specification of all rocket skin sections including bulkheads, feedthroughs and access door; fabrication, curing, and delivery of the large graphite-epoxy telescope tube; engineering analysis of the primary mirror vibration test was completed and a decision made to redesign the mirror attachment to a kinematic three-point mount; detail design of the camera control, payload and housekeeping electronics; and multilayer mirror flats with 2d spacings of 50 A and 60 A.

Golub, L.↗

Measurement of damping of graphite expoxy materials

During this period damping measurements were made on the cylindrical graphite epoxy specimen using the forced-vibration test method. The specimen was carefully mounted directly on the shaker through the supporting ring and the impedance head. This was done to simulate an idealized free-free boundary condition at the two edges. The damping ratio value and the natural frequency (first mode) obtained in this experiment were 0.13% and 508.75 Hz respectively. In order to check the damping induced by the supporting ring, measurements were made with the top half of the ring removed. The specimen then was supported only by the bottom half of the ring (half ring). It was observed that the natural frequency of the specimen (first mode) increased of a value of 552.5 Hz due to the influence of the reduced mass of the supporting ring. But the damping ratio value obtained was the same as that obtained with full supporting ring, namely 0.13%.

Crocker, M. J.↗

Feasibility of Mapping Velocity Flow Fields in SSME Powerhead by Laser Anemometry Techniques

Because of the flow environment associated with the SSME powerhead pressure (3000 psia), temperature (1800 R), and mechanical complexity and the high vibration test stand environment, detailed flow measurements are difficult to make. The feasibility of using laser anemometry techniques to map velocity flow fields in an SSME powerhead is studied. In the study three engine powerhead component flow environments: (1) the high pressure fuel turbopump preburner, (2) the fuel turbopump turbine rotor and stator region, and (3) the 180 deg turnaround duct - are being considered. Flow parameters measured by the anemometry techniques are time averaged values of the velocity magnitude and flow direction, turbulence intensity, velocity component correlation, integral time scale, and turbulence spectrum.

Pelaccio, D. G.↗