Results for “Damage models” — Page 42

NASA NTRS2019

Evaluation of LS-DYNA MAT162 for Modeling Composite Fastener Joints for High Rates of Loading

In the present work, the behavior of composite-fastener joints in bearing failure at dynamic stroke rates of 500 in/s, 300 in/s and 100 in/s has been evaluated through progressive damage analysis (PDA) material model in LS-DYNA, namely MAT162. Two joint types: titanium pin and Hi-Lok® fastener were analyzed to identify the differences between without and with preload conditions. A meso-level approach where each lamina was modeled separately was employed and a contact definition based on fracture toughness data was defined to represent composite delamination behavior. Test fixture had been modeled in a detailed manner to account for the dynamic effects and the simulation results were validated against experimental data. Preliminary test-analysis correlation indicated that MAT162 predicted results conservatively when compared to tests. Debris accumulation were observed to greatly affect the test results which were not considered in the current modelling strategies.

Kona, A.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Analysis of Microwave Resonant Cavity Transducer Degradation Mechanisms

We are investigating a microwave resonant cavity transducer for flow sensing in the vessel of a high temperature fluid advanced reactor (AR), such as a molten salt cooled reactor (MSCR) or a sodium fast reactor (SFR). This transducer is a hollow metallic cylindrical cavity, with the flat wall of the cylinder flexible enough to undergo microscopic deflection due to dynamic fluid pressure. Membrane deflection leads to a shift in the resonant frequency, which can be detected with a spectrum analyzer. Because the transducer is intended for immersion in a high temperature corrosive fluid, understanding of material degradation is crucial for estimation of transducer performance lifetime, and development of measurement interpretation algorithms. We conducted a preliminary computational investigation of relevant damage mechanisms of a stainless steel 316 cylindrical resonator in FLiBe salt. The two main damage mechanisms, creep and corrosion, were modeled using multiphysics COMSOL software. Degradation was modeled for a temperature range 500°C to 700°C. Coupling of the damage mechanisms was not considered. These models predict significant inelastic deformation at most temperatures due to creep, and qualitatively predict chromium depletion both along the liquid/solid interface and along the grain boundaries. An algorithmic approach for compensation of these degradation effects during fluid flow measurements will be developed in the future work.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Second Annual Report on Development of Microwave Resonant Cavity Transducer for Fluid Flow Sensing

We are investigating a microwave resonant cavity transducer for flow sensing in the vessel of a high temperature fluid advanced reactor (AR), such as a molten salt cooled reactor (MSCR) or a sodium fast reactor (SFR). This transducer is a hollow metallic cylindrical cavity, with the flat wall of the cylinder flexible enough to undergo microscopic deflection due to dynamic fluid pressure. Membrane deflection leads to a shift in the resonant frequency, which can be detected with a spectrum analyzer. Because the transducer is intended for immersion in a high temperature corrosive fluid, understanding of material degradation is crucial for estimation of transducer performance lifetime, and development of measurement interpretation algorithms. We conducted a preliminary computational investigation of relevant damage mechanisms of a stainless steel 316 cylindrical resonator in FLiBe salt. The two main damage mechanisms, creep and corrosion, were modeled using multiphysics COMSOL software. Degradation was modeled for a temperature range 500°C to 700°C. Coupling of the damage mechanisms was not considered. These models predict significant inelastic deformation at most temperatures due to creep, and qualitatively predict chromium depletion both along the liquid/solid interface and along the grain boundaries. An algorithmic approach for compensation of these degradation effects during fluid flow measurements will be developed in the future work. To validate sensor physics, we have performed proof-of-principle test of flow sensing in water. For this test, we have developed a cylindrical resonator for K-band, which was machined from brass. The cavity was excited through WR-42 waveguide through a subwavelength hole on the side of the wall of the cylinder. To increase the spectral signal visibility, we developed a signal processing method for baseline subtraction. A flow loop for proof-of-principle test of transducer performance in water was assembled. A commercial flow meter was installed in the loop for reference measurements. Cylindrical cavity was excited in the TE 011 mode with resonant frequency f ≈ 17.8GHz. Frequency shift of cavity spectral response was obtained by gradually increasing water flow rate from 0 to 60gpm. Corresponding monotonic increase of resonant frequency shift by several MHz was observed. Approximate figure of merit of sensitivity to flow rate is 100KHz/GPM. In addition, we have identified an existing liquid sodium experimental setup for demonstration of flow sensing in environment similar to that of an advanced reactor. The setup consists of a cylindrical vessel and center feed line, where transducer inserted through the lid will measure velocity of the impinging liquid jet. As a calibration experiment, we have assembled a water vessel with center feed with the same dimensions as those of the liquid sodium setup. We have also developed and insertion probe consisting of a 50cm brass waveguide enclosed in protective SS316 tube. Using the water loop, we have demonstrated feasibility of sensing the impinging liquid jet in the vessel.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Tree crown damage and its effects on forest carbon cycling in a tropical forest

Abstract Crown damage can account for over 23% of canopy biomass turnover in tropical forests and is a strong predictor of tree mortality; yet, it is not typically represented in vegetation models. We incorporate crown damage into the Functionally Assembled Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator (FATES), to evaluate how lags between damage and tree recovery or death alter demographic rates and patterns of carbon turnover. We represent crown damage as a reduction in a tree's crown area and leaf and branch biomass, and allow associated variation in the ratio of aboveground to belowground plant tissue. We compare simulations with crown damage to simulations with equivalent instant increases in mortality and benchmark results against data from Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama. In FATES, crown damage causes decreases in growth rates that match observations from BCI. Crown damage leads to increases in carbon starvation mortality in FATES, but only in configurations with high root respiration and decreases in carbon storage following damage. Crown damage also alters competitive dynamics, as plant functional types that can recover from crown damage outcompete those that cannot. This is a first exploration of the trade‐off between the additional complexity of the novel crown damage module and improved predictive capabilities. At BCI, a tropical forest that does not experience high levels of disturbance, both the crown damage simulations and simulations with equivalent increases in mortality does a reasonable job of capturing observations. The crown damage module provides functionality for exploring dynamics in forests with more extreme disturbances such as cyclones and for capturing the synergistic effects of disturbances that overlap in space and time.

Needham, Jessica F.↗

NASA NTRS2009

A Method for Combining Experimentation and Molecular Dynamics Simulation to Improve Cohesive Zone Models for Metallic Microstructures

Fracture processes within a material begin at the nanometer length scale at which the formation, propagation, and interaction of fundamental damage mechanisms occur. Physics-based modeling of these atomic processes quickly becomes computationally intractable as the system size increases. Thus, a multiscale modeling method, based on the aggregation of fundamental damage processes occurring at the nanoscale within a cohesive zone model, is under development and will enable computationally feasible and physically meaningful microscale fracture simulation in polycrystalline metals. This method employs atomistic simulation to provide an optimization loop with an initial prediction of a cohesive zone model (CZM). This initial CZM is then applied at the crack front region within a finite element model. The optimization procedure iterates upon the CZM until the finite element model acceptably reproduces the near-crack-front displacement fields obtained from experimental observation. With this approach, a comparison can be made between the original CZM predicted by atomistic simulation and the converged CZM that is based on experimental observation. Comparison of the two CZMs gives insight into how atomistic simulation scales.

Hochhalter, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Life extending control: An interdisciplinary engineering thrust

The concept of Life Extending Control (LEC) is introduced. Possible extensions to the cyclic damage prediction approach are presented based on the identification of a model from elementary forms. Several candidate elementary forms are presented. These extensions will result in a continuous or differential form of the damage prediction model. Two possible approaches to the LEC based on the existing cyclic damage prediction method, the measured variables LEC and the estimated variables LEC, are defined. Here, damage estimates or measurements would be used directly in the LEC. A simple hydraulic actuator driven position control system example is used to illustrate the main ideas behind LEC. Results from a simple hydraulic actuator example demonstrate that overall system performance (dynamic plus life) can be maximized by accounting for component damage in the control design.

Lorenzo, Carl F.↗

NASA NTRS2020

Tensile Creep Behavior of SiC(f)/SiC Ceramic Matrix Minicomposites

Single fiber-tow minicomposites represent the major load-bearing element of woven and laminate ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). To understand the effects of fiber type, fiber content, and matrix cracking on tensile creep in SiCf/SiC CMCs, single-tow SiCf/SiC minicomposites with different fiber types and contents were investigated. The minicomposites studied contained either Hi-Nicalon™ or Hi-Nicalon™ Type S SiC fibers with a boron nitride (BN) interphase and a chemical-vapor-infiltrated-silicon-carbide (CVI-SiC) matrix. Tensile creep was performed at 1200 °C in air. A bottom-up creep modeling approach was applied where creep parameters of the fibers and matrix were obtained separately at 1200 °C. Next, a theoretical model based on the rule of mixtures was derived to model the fiber and matrix creep-time-dependent stress redistribution. Fiber and matrix creep parameters, load transfer model results, and numerical modeling were used to construct a creep strain model to predict creep damage evolution of minicomposites with different fiber types and contents.

SiC/SiC Minicomposites Creep↗

DOE OSTI2024

Predicting Damages to Remainder Parcels in Right-of-Way Acquisitions for Expanding Transportation Infrastructure: Using a Truncated Finite-Mixture Model

Right-of-way acquisition is a critical component of transportation infrastructure development. Transportation infrastructure projects cannot proceed without proper right-of-way acquisition or may face significant delays. State Departments of Transportation frequently acquire parcels of land for roadway expansion projects. A majority of these acquisitions can be partial takings, referring to a portion of a parcel that is acquired. The remainder of the property usually suffers economic changes due to the partial acquisition, which can be calculated as damage percentages. The damage percentage represents the extent to which the remaining land or property value has been diminished due to the acquisition. It reflects the remaining property value percentage that may have been lost or compromised due to the acquisition. Here, this study aims to provide a robust model to estimate damage percentages to the remainder parcels that may help state Departments of Transportation appraisers make early predictions about the damages in cases involving partial takings. The research uses 509 appraisal reports from the Tennessee Department of Transportation to identify the key parcel attributes that influence the percentage of damages. Three regression models are developed: a linear regression model, a finite-mixture model (FMM), and a truncated FMM with two latent classes. The modeling results show that the truncated FMM with two classes outperforms the other models. To validate the models, actual sales data is collected and analyzed for 59 properties, and the results suggest that the model predictions are fairly accurate. A predictive tool is developed based on the models to help appraisers anticipate right-of-way damages under different scenarios and can provide early predictions about the damages.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NASA NTRS2007

Frequency Response of an Aircraft Wing with Discrete Source Damage Using Equivalent Plate Analysis

An equivalent plate procedure is developed to provide a computationally efficient means of matching the stiffness and frequencies of flight vehicle wing structures for prescribed loading conditions. Several new approaches are proposed and studied to match the stiffness and first five natural frequencies of the two reference models with and without damage. One approach divides the candidate reference plate into multiple zones in which stiffness and mass can be varied using a variety of materials including aluminum, graphite-epoxy, and foam-core graphite-epoxy sandwiches. Another approach places point masses along the edge of the stiffness-matched plate to tune the natural frequencies. Both approaches are successful at matching the stiffness and natural frequencies of the reference plates and provide useful insight into determination of crucial features in equivalent plate models of aircraft wing structures.

Krishnamurthy, T.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Evaluation of the Reconstruction Accuracy of the Ultrasound Model–Based Image Reconstruction (U-MBIR) Method for Concrete to Optimize Damage Detection

Reinforced concrete is a critical structural material used to construct nuclear power plants (NPPs). As such, its safety and performance must be thoroughly examined throughout the life cycle of the NPP infrastructure system. Ultrasonic measurements have been an industry standard for both surface and subsurface inspections. To support the development of these techniques, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has researched and developed advanced image reconstruction algorithms to capture internal damage. The results and discussion presented herein summarize the current state of the ultrasonic model–based iterative reconstruction (U-MBIR) algorithm developed at ORNL. In the work documented in this report, the U-MBIR methodology was applied to four sets of ultrasonic data collected from concrete specimens. The results demonstrate that the U-MBIR algorithm can successfully detect defects within the four concrete samples. The reconstruction images help identify the specimen thickness, regions of delamination, and location of rebar embedded within the concrete. The reconstruction images allow engineers and technicians to characterize the internal defects within concrete specimens and structural members. Ultimately, this knowledge can guide engineers in making informed decisions regarding the performance, safety, and reliability of structural materials (i.e., reinforced concrete) throughout the life cycle of NPPs.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Multiphysics Meshfree Degradation Modeling of Energy Storage Materials with Kernel Enrichment

Energy storage materials exhibit strong electro-chemo-mechanical coupling and highly anisotropic material properties, contributing to the formation and propagation of micro-cracking during charge/discharge cycling and ultimately diminishing performance and service life. With microstructural images supplied by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), pixel-based meshfree model construction by the reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM) is used to represent the complex material microstructures that dictate the coupled physics of these systems. Traditional electro-chemo-mechanical models rely on mesh-based finite element methods, which can lead to difficulties in meshing such complex geometries and capturing crack propagation due to mesh dependency. The first kernel enrichment discussed will be the interface modified reproducing kernel (IM-RK) [1, 2], constructed by scaling a smooth kernel function with an interface-distance function to achieve strategic discontinuity types (i.e. weak discontinuities for strain discontinuities and strong discontinuities for cracks) and alleviate Gibbs oscillations near these transition zones. The IM-RK is especially useful for areas in which a known discontinuity-type is expected a priori. The second kernel enrichment to be discussed is a neural network-enhanced reproducing kernel (NN-RK) [3, 4], which is introduced to effectively model non-obvious damage and crack propagation in the material microstructures; the location, orientation, and solution transition near a localization are automatically captured by superimposed block-level NN optimizations. This NN enrichment approach allows for effective modeling of localizations via a fixed background discretization, relieving tedious efforts for adaptive refinement in traditional mesh-based methods. Applications to the heterogeneous microstructures of Li-ion battery cathodes will be presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. NN-RK is additionally used to inform how crack opening and closure in turn affect the electro-chemo-mechanical responses in the material microstructure. Reference: [1] Wang, Y., Baek, J., Tang, Y. et al. "Support vector machine guided reproducing kernel particle method for image-based modeling of microstructures," Comput Mech 73, 907-942 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00466-023-02394-9. [2] Susuki, K., Allen, J. & Chen, J. S.. "Image-based modeling of coupled electro-chemo-mechanical behavior of Li-ion battery cathode using an interface-modified reproducing kernel particle method," Engineering with Computers (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00366-024-02016-9. [3] Baek, J., Chen, J. S., Susuki, K., "Neural Network enhanced Reproducing Kernel Particle Method for Modeling Localizations," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 123, 4422-4454 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.7040.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2026

Kernel Enriched Meshfree Multiphysics Degradation Modeling of Energy Storage Materials

Energy storage materials exhibit strong electro-chemo-mechanical coupling and highly anisotropic material properties, contributing to the formation and propagation of micro-cracking during charge/discharge cycling and ultimately diminishing performance and service life. With microstructural images supplied by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), pixel-based meshfree model construction by the reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM) is used to represent the complex material microstructures that dictate the coupled physics of these systems. Traditional electro-chemo-mechanical models rely on mesh-based finite element methods, which can lead to difficulties in meshing such complex geometries and capturing crack propagation due to mesh dependency. The first kernel enrichment discussed will be the interface modified reproducing kernel (IM-RK) [1, 2], constructed by scaling a smooth kernel function with an interface-distance function to achieve strategic discontinuity types (i.e. weak discontinuities for strain discontinuities and strong discontinuities for cracks) and alleviate Gibbs oscillations near these transition zones. The IM-RK is especially useful for areas in which a known discontinuity-type is expected a priori. The second kernel enrichment to be discussed is a neural network-enhanced reproducing kernel (NN-RK) [3, 4], which is introduced to effectively model non-obvious damage and crack propagation in the material microstructures; the location, orientation, and solution transition near a localization are automatically captured by superimposed block-level NN optimizations. This NN enrichment approach allows for effective modeling of localizations via a fixed background discretization, relieving tedious efforts for adaptive refinement in traditional mesh-based methods. Applications to the heterogeneous microstructures of Li-ion battery cathodes will be presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. NN-RK is additionally used to inform how crack opening and closure in turn affect the electro-chemo-mechanical responses in the material microstructure. References: [1] Wang, Y., Baek, J., Tang, Y. et al. "Support vector machine guided reproducing kernel particle method for image-based modeling of microstructures," Comput Mech 73, 907-942 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00466-023-02394-9. [2] Susuki, K., Allen, J. & Chen, J. S.. "Image-based modeling of coupled electro-chemo-mechanical behavior of Li-ion battery cathode using an interface-modified reproducing kernel particle method," Engineering with Computers (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00366-024-02016-9. [3] Baek, J., Chen, J. S., Susuki, K., "Neural Network enhanced Reproducing Kernel Particle Method for Modeling Localizations," International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 123, 4422-4454 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.7040.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRS1987

Calculations of the displacement damage and short-circuit current degradation in proton irradiated (AlGa)As-GaAs solar cells

A theoretical model for computing the displacement damage defect density and the short-circuit current (I sub sc) degradation in proton-irradiated (AlGa)As-GaAs p-n junction solar cells is presented. Assumptions were made with justification that the radiation induced displacement defects form an effective recombination center which controls the electron and hole lifetimes in the junction space charge region and in the n-GaAs active layer of the irradiated GaAs p-n junction cells. The degradation of I sub sc in the (AlGa)As layer was found to be negligible compared to the total degradation. In order to determine the I sub sc degradation, the displacement defect density, path length, range, reduced energy after penetrating a distance x, and the average number of displacements formed by one proton scattering event were first calculated. The I sub sc degradation was calculated by using the electron capture cross section in the p-diffused layer and the hole capture cross section in the n-base layer as well as the wavelength dependent absorption coefficients. Excellent agreement was found between the researchers calculated values and the measured I sub sc in the proton irradiated GaAs solar cells for proton energies of 100 KeV to 10 MeV and fluences from 10 to the 10th power p/square cm to 10 to the 12th power p/square cm.

Yeh, C. S.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Modal Test and Analysis Correlation of Wind Tunnel Blades for the National Transonic Facility

NASA has a significant maintenance challenge with the aging wind tunnel infrastructure across the agency . Wind tunnel blades, such as the ones in the National Transonic Facility at NASA Langley Research Center, have been subjected to damage from impacts and fatigue. Accurate analytical models of these blades are necessary to either recertify replacement blades to be built or for redesign of these blades. In this paper an upgraded finite element model of these wind tunnel blades with the capability of representing damage is presented. An eigenvalue analysis of the structural model is performed, and the boundary conditions are adjusted to simulate the natural frequencies obtained by experimental testing of a set of twenty five blades in 1992. Additional numerical studies of the effect of delamination damage on the natural frequencies of the blade are conducted using the tuned finite element model.

wind tunnel↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Modal Test and Analysis Correlation of Wind Tunnel Blades for the National Transonic Facility

NASA has a significant maintenance challenge with the aging wind tunnel infrastructure across the agency . Wind tunnel blades, such as the ones in the National Transonic Facility at NASA Langley Research Center, have been subjected to damage from impacts and fatigue. Accurate analytical models of these blades are necessary to either recertify replacement blades to be built or for redesign of these blades. In this paper an upgraded finite element model of these wind tunnel blades with the capability of representing damage is presented. An eigenvalue analysis of the structural model is performed, and the boundary conditions are adjusted to simulate the natural frequencies obtained by experimental testing of a set of twenty five blades in 1992. Additional numerical studies of the effect of delamination damage on the natural frequencies of the blade are conducted using the tuned finite element model.

wind tunnel↗

DOE OSTI2020

NA-22 Quarterly Report: April-June, 2020

At LLNL we contribute to two projects in NNSA-IAEC Science and Technology Working Group Area V: Basic Science of Waste Management & Subsurface Science. The motivation behind Topic Area V is to evaluate the scientific and safety case for an intermediate borehole to house Israel’s nuclear waste. WM1 (SNL lead) is Thermomechanical Damage (initially called Damage Accumulation and Wellbore Stability). This work focuses on evaluating the damage to the host rock induced by excavation and heat released from a possible radioactive waste repository/borehole. WM2 (LLNL lead) is Radionuclide Facilitated Transport in Carbonate Rock (initially called Colloidal Transport of Radionuclides). This work focuses on better understanding the transport of radionuclides and colloids from a nuclear waste repository/borehole in a vadose zone environment through experimentation and modeling. In the second quarter (this report) our work has been delayed in part due to COVID-19. LLNL went into shelter in place (SIP), minimum safe operations mid-March. Operations at LLNL have been slowly ramping up with 50% of the workforce back onsite in limited capacity and telecommuting widely used. The good news is that our labs opened up the last week in June and experiments are expected to start up again for WM2 Radionuclide Facilitated Transport in July. LLNL’s contribution to WM1 Thermochemical Damage modeling efforts also started back up in late June. We expect to be able to catch up on much of our work by the end of next quarter. The three national laboratories communication on a bi-monthly basis to make sure Area V projects remain on track and we have a monthly conference call with our Israeli counterparts to make sure we are communicating priorities and coordinating project details.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

DOE OSTI2020

NA-22 Quarterly Report: April-June, 2020

At LLNL we contribute to two projects in NNSA-IAEC Science and Technology Working Group Area V: Basic Science of Waste Management & Subsurface Science. The motivation behind Topic Area V is to evaluate the scientific and safety case for an intermediate borehole to house Israel’s nuclear waste. WM1 (SNL lead) is Thermomechanical Damage (initially called Damage Accumulation and Wellbore Stability). This work focuses on evaluating the damage to the host rock induced by excavation and heat released from a possible radioactive waste repository/borehole. WM2 (LLNL lead) is Radionuclide Facilitated Transport in Carbonate Rock (initially called Colloidal Transport of Radionuclides). This work focuses on better understanding the transport of radionuclides and colloids from a nuclear waste repository/borehole in a vadose zone environment through experimentation and modeling. In the second quarter (this report) our work has been delayed in part due to COVID-19. LLNL went into shelter in place (SIP), minimum safe operations mid-March. Operations at LLNL have been slowly ramping up with 50% of the workforce back onsite in limited capacity and telecommuting widely used. The good news is that our labs opened up the last week in June and experiments are expected to start up again for WM2 Radionuclide Facilitated Transport in July. LLNL’s contribution to WM1 Thermochemical Damage modeling efforts also started back up in late June. We expect to be able to catch up on much of our work by the end of next quarter. The three national laboratories communication on a bi-monthly basis to make sure Area V projects remain on track and we have a monthly conference call with our Israeli counterparts to make sure we are communicating priorities and coordinating project details.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Molecular model of TFIIH recruitment to the transcription-coupled repair machinery

Transcription-coupled repair (TCR) is a vital nucleotide excision repair sub-pathway that removes DNA lesions from actively transcribed DNA strands. Binding of CSB to lesion-stalled RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) initiates TCR by triggering the recruitment of downstream repair factors. Yet it remains unknown how transcription factor IIH (TFIIH) is recruited to the intact TCR complex. Combining existing structural data with AlphaFold predictions, we build an integrative model of the initial TFIIH-bound TCR complex. We show how TFIIH can be first recruited in an open repair-inhibited conformation, which requires subsequent CAK module removal and conformational closure to process damaged DNA. In our model, CSB, CSA, UVSSA, elongation factor 1 (ELOF1), and specific Pol II and UVSSA-bound ubiquitin moieties come together to provide interaction interfaces needed for TFIIH recruitment. STK19 acts as a linchpin of the assembly, orienting the incoming TFIIH and bridging Pol II to core TCR factors and DNA. Molecular simulations of the TCR-associated CRL4CSA ubiquitin ligase complex unveil the interplay of segmental DDB1 flexibility, continuous Cullin4A flexibility, and the key role of ELOF1 for Pol II ubiquitination that enables TCR. Collectively, these findings elucidate the coordinated assembly of repair proteins in early TCR.

Paul, Tanmoy↗