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At least 757 records · Page 42

Phase-field modeling of rate-dependent fluid-driven fracture initiation and propagation

The rate-dependent behavior associated with deformation and fracturing of materials, such as natural rocks, poses significant challenges for modeling. In addition to the complications of the viscoelastic response, the speed of fracture propagation reflects micromechanical mechanisms in the fracture process zone(FPZ). In order to represent these complicated behaviors, a thermodynamically consistent, rate-dependent fracture model is required. Based on rigorous thermodynamic principles, we derive a rate-dependent phase-field mechanical model coupled with single-phase fluid flow in both the matrix and the fracture. The model is guaranteed to satisfy energy conservation during fracture propagation. Here, the system of equations is solved using the introduced solution procedure and a novel preconditioner that accounts for the complex fluid-structure interaction. The proposed phase-field model is tested against several benchmark problems on solid-fluid coupling, fluid-driven fracture propagation and rate-dependent viscoelastic deformation. The model serves as a strong basis for investigating rate-dependent fracturing experiments and for making predictions of material behaviors under new conditions.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Explicit modeling of composite plates and beams in the dynamics of multibody systems

The state of the art dynamic response analysis of flexible multibody systems is currently restricted to elastic bodies with homogeneous materials. The requirements for high speed operation has made it necessary to use lightweight multi layered composite bodies in robotic systems and space structure applications. Dynamic modeling and analysis of such systems are particularly important since the effects of body flexibility to the performance are likely to be more pronounced. The eight-noded isoperimetric quadrilateral element with independent rotational and displacement degrees of freedom is extended to laminated composite elements. The element includes an arbitrary number of bonded layers, each of which may have a different thickness. The transverse shear deformation which is a predominant factor in the analysis of laminated composite structures is taken into account in developing the stiffness and mass matrices. The corresponding 3-D mode shapes are then incorporated to the multibody system dynamical equations. Floating body reference frames allow the selection of different boundary conditions, and the dynamical equations contain all the nonlinear interactions between the rigid and elastic motion. Example simulations are presented to illustrate the methods proposed.

Amirouche, F. M. L.↗

Unified Material-Environment Interaction Model for Binary UHTC Composites

A new model for the surface chemistry of zirconium and hafnium diborides containing silicon-carbide when exposed to high temperature conditions in air is formulated. Oxidation dynamics are simplified by considering the diffusion-limited equilibrium regime within the material at elevated temperatures. This model is first assessed against experimental mass-gain data taken from UHTC samples heated to high temperature in an oxygen environment. Then, further evaluations of the new model are conducted using hypersonic CFD simulations to analyze conditions experienced by HfB2-SiC in arc jet experiments conducted at NASA Ames Research Center. Measurements of stagnation point heat transfer and pressure are then used to calibrate the simulations. Results of coupled CFD-material response simulations are then compared to the surface temperatures measured during the Ames arc jet test. Results support the use of the proposed model while highlighting the need for improved gas-phase data on the additional constituents considered.

ultra high temperature ceramic↗

The mechanical response of micron-sized molecular crystals

Abstract Microstructures and corresponding properties of compacted powders ultimately depend on the mechanical response of individual particles. In principle, computational simulations can predict the results of powder compaction processes, but the selection of appropriate models for both particle–particle interactions and particle deformations across all relevant length scales remain nontrivial tasks, especially in material systems lacking detailed mechanical property information. The work presented here addresses these issues by conducting uniaxial compressions in situ inside of a scanning electron microscope to characterize the mechanical response of individual micron-sized particles of a molecular crystal, hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20). This experimental approach enabled the collection of quantitative force and displacement data alongside simultaneous imaging to capture morphology changes. The results reveal information about elastic deformation, yield, plastic deformation, creep, and fracture phenomena. Accordingly, this work demonstrates a generalizable approach for assessing the mechanical response of individual micron-sized molecular crystal particles and utilizing those responses in particle-level models. Graphic abstract

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Multiscale Concurrent Atomistic-Continuum (CAC) modeling of multicomponent alloys

We report strengthening in complex multicomponent systems such as solid solution alloys is controlled primarily by the dynamic interactions between dislocation lines and heterogeneously distributed solute species. Modeling of extended defect length scales in such multicomponent systems becomes prohibitively expensive, motivating the development of reduced order approaches. This work explores the application of the Concurrent Atomistic-Continuum (CAC) method to model dislocation mobility in random alloys at extended length scales. By employing recently developed average-atom interatomic potentials, the average “bulk” material response in coarse-grained regions interacts with true random solute species in the atomistic-scale domain. We demonstrate that spurious stresses in domain resolution transition regions are eliminated entirely due to the CAC formulation. Simultaneously, the key details of local stress fluctuation due to randomness in the dislocation core region are captured, and fluctuating stress smoothly decays to the long-range dislocation stress field response. Dislocation mobility calculations, for line lengths over 400 nm, are computed as a function of alloy composition in the model FeNiCr system and compared to full molecular dynamics (MD). The results capture the composition-dependent trends, while reducing degrees of freedom by nearly 40%. This approach can be readily extended to any system described by an EAM potential and facilitates the study of large-scale defect dynamics in complex solute environments to support computational alloy design.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Quantum efficiency of InGaN–GaN multi-quantum well solar cells: Experimental characterization and modeling

InGaN-based multi-quantum well (MQW) solar cells are promising devices for photovoltaics (e.g., for tandem solar cells and concentrator systems), space applications, and wireless power transfer. In order to improve the efficiency of these devices, the factors limiting their efficiency and stability must be investigated in detail. Due to the complexity of a MQW structure, compared with a simple pn junction, modeling the spectral response of these solar cells is not straightforward, and ad hoc methodologies must be implemented. In this paper, we propose a model, based on material parameters and closed-formula equations, that describes the shape of the quantum efficiency of InGaN/GaN MQW solar cells, by taking into account the layer thickness, the temperature dependence of the absorption coefficient, and quantum confinement effects. We demonstrate (i) that the proposed model can effectively reproduce the spectral response of the cells; in addition, (ii) we prove that the bulk p-GaN layer absorbs radiation, but the carriers photogenerated in this region do not significantly contribute to device current. Finally, we show that (iii) by increasing the temperature, there is a redshift of the absorption edge due to bandgap narrowing, which can be described by Varshni law and is taken into account by the model, and a lowering in the extraction efficiency due to the increase in recombination (mostly Shockley–Read–Hall) inside the quantum wells, which is also visible by decreasing light intensity.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Designing for time-dependent material response in spacecraft structures

To study the influence on overall deformations of the time-dependent constitutive properties of fiber-reinforced polymeric matrix composite materials being considered for use in orbiting precision segmented reflectors, simple sandwich beam models are developed. The beam models include layers representing the face sheets, the core, and the adhesive bonding of the face sheets to the core. A three-layer model lumps the adhesive layers with the face sheets or core, while a five-layer model considers the adhesive layers explicitly. The deformation response of the three-layer and five-layer sandwich beam models to a midspan point load is studied. This elementary loading leads to a simple analysis, and it is easy to create this loading in the laboratory. Using the correspondence principle of viscoelasticity, the models representing the elastic behavior of the two beams are transformed into time-dependent models. Representative cases of time-dependent material behavior for the facesheet material, the core material, and the adhesive are used to evaluate the influence of these constituents being time-dependent on the deformations of the beam. As an example of the results presented, if it assumed that, as a worst case, the polymer-dominated shear properties of the core behave as a Maxwell fluid such that under constant shear stress the shear strain increases by a factor of 10 in 20 years, then it is shown that the beam deflection increases by a factor of 1.4 during that time. In addition to quantitative conclusions, several assumptions are discussed which simplify the analyses for use with more complicated material models. Finally, it is shown that the simpler three-layer model suffices in many situations.

Hyer, M. W.↗

Modeling, analysis, and code/data validation of DIII-D tokamak divertor experiments on ELM and non-ELM plasma tungsten sputtering erosion

Abstract We analyzed recent DIII-D tokamak tungsten divertor probe experiments using advanced, coupled, sputter erosion/redeposition, plasma, and surface response code packages. Modeling is done for ELMing H-mode, and L-mode plasmas, impinging on various size tungsten deposits on Divertor Material Evaluation System (DiMES) carbon probes. The simulations compute 3D, full kinetic, sub-gyromotion, impurity sputtering and transport, including changes in tungsten surface composition and response due to mixed deuterium and carbon ions irradiation. Per our analysis, ELM (edge localized mode) plasma sputtering in DIII-D mostly involves free-streaming high energy (∼500–1000 eV) D + and C +6 ions, with high near-surface plasma density. L-Mode sputtering is due to impurity sputtering (C, W) only, with lower density. All cases show complete redeposition of tungsten on the divertor, with significant redeposition on the tungsten spots themselves, and low self-sputtering. Comparison of ELM plasma gross tungsten erosion simulation results with in-situ spectroscopic data is good, as are code/data comparisons of net erosion using post-exposure Rutherford backscattering (RBS) data for the L-mode probes. The analysis, extrapolated to a full tungsten divertor, implies low net erosion and negligible plasma contamination from sputtering. These results support the use of high-Z plasma facing surfaces in ITER and beyond.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Quantitative Nonlinear Optical Polarimetry with High Spatial Resolution

Nonlinear optical microscopy such as in the optical second-harmonic generation (SHG) modality has become a popular tool today for probing materials in the physical and biological sciences. While imaging and spectroscopy are widely used in the microscopy mode, nonlinear polarimetry, which can shed light on materials’ symmetry and microstructure, is relatively underdeveloped. This is partly because quantitative analytical modeling of the optical SHG response for anisotropic crystals and films largely assumes low-numerical aperture (NA) focusing of light, where the plane-wave approximation is sufficient. Tight focusing provides unique benefits in revealing out-of-plane polarization responses, which cannot be detected by near-plane-wave illumination at normal incidence. Here, we outline a method for quantitatively analyzing SHG polarimetry measurements obtained under high-NA focusing within a microscope geometry. Experiments and simulations of a variety of standard samples, from single crystals to thin films, are in good agreement, including measured and simulated spatial SHG maps of ferroelectric domains. A solution to the inverse problem is demonstrated, where the spatial distribution of an SHG tensor with unknown tensor coefficient magnitudes is determined by experimentally measured polarimetry. The ability to extract the out-of-plane component of the nonlinear polarization in normal incidence is demonstrated, which can be valuable for high-resolution polarimetry of 2D materials, thin films, heterostructures, and uniaxial crystals with a strong out-of-plane response.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Free vibrations of thin-walled semicircular graphite-epoxy composite frames

A detailed study is made of the effects of variations in lamination and material parameters of thin walled composite frames on their vibrational characteristics. The structures considered are semicircular thin walled frames with I and J sections. The flanges and webs of the frames are modelled by using 2-D shell and plate finite elements. A mixed formulation is used with the fundamental unknowns consisting of both the generalized displacements and stress resultants in the frames. The frequencies and modes predicted by the 2-D finite element model are compared with those obtained from experiments, as well as with the predictions of a 1-D thin walled beam finite element model. A detailed study is made of the sensitivity of the vibrational response to variations in the fiber orientation, material properties of the individual layers, and boundary conditions.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗

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↗

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↗

Load Diffusion in Composite and Smart Structures

The research carried out here builds on our previous NASA supported research on the general topic of edge effects and load diffusion in composite structures. Further fundamental solid mechanics studies were carried out to provide a basis for assessing the complicated modeling necessary for the multi-functional large scale structures used by NASA. An understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of load diffusion in composite subcomponents is essential in developing primary composite structures. Some specific problems recently considered were those of end effects in smart materials and structures, study of the stress response of pressurized linear piezoelectric cylinders for both static and steady rotating configurations, an analysis of the effect of pre-stressing and pre-polarization on the decay of end effects in piezoelectric solids and investigation of constitutive models for hardening rubber-like materials. Our goal in the study of load diffusion is the development of readily applicable results for the decay lengths in terms of non-dimensional material and geometric parameters. Analytical models of load diffusion behavior are extremely valuable in building an intuitive base for developing refined modeling strategies and assessing results from finite element analyses.

Horgan, Cornelius O.↗

Load Diffusion in Composite and Smart Structures

The research carried out here builds on our previous NASA supported research on the general topic of edge effects and load diffusion in composite structures. Further fundamental solid mechanics studies were carried out to provide a basis for assessing the complicated modeling necessary for the multi-functional large scale structures used by NASA. An understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of load diffusion in composite subcomponents is essential in developing primary composite structures. Some specific problems recently considered were those of end effects in smart materials and structures, study of the stress response of pressurized linear piezoelectric cylinders for both static and steady rotating configurations, an analysis of the effect of pre-stressing and pre-polarization on the decay of end effects in piezoelectric solids and investigation of constitutive models for hardening rubber-like materials. Our goal in the study of load diffusion is the development of readily applicable results for the decay lengths in terms of non-dimensional material and geometric parameters. Analytical models of load diffusion behavior are extremely valuable in building an intuitive base for developing refined modeling strategies and assessing results from finite element analyses. The decay behavior of stresses and other field quantities provides a significant aid towards this process. The analysis is also amenable to parameter study with a large parameter space and should be useful in structural tailoring studies. Special purpose analytical models of load diffusion behavior are extremely valuable in building an intuitive base for developing refined modeling strategies and in assessing results from general purpose finite element analyses. For example, a rational basis is needed in choosing where to use three-dimensional to two-dimensional transition finite elements in analyzing stiffened plates and shells. The decay behavior of stresses and other field quantities furnished by this research provides a significant aid towards this element transition issue. A priori knowledge of the extent of boundary-layers induced by edge effects is also useful in determination of the instrumentation location in structural verification tests or in material characterization tests.

Horgan, C. O.↗

Free vibrations of thin-walled semicircular graphite-epoxy composite frames

A detailed study is made of the effects of variations in lamination and material parameters of thin walled composite frames on their vibrational characteristics. The structures considered are semicircular thin walled frames with I and J sections. The flanges and webs of the frames are modeled by using 2-D shell and plate finite elements. A mixed formulation is used with the fundamental unknowns consisting of both the generalized displacements and stress resultants in the frame. The frequencies and modes predicted by the 2-D finite element model are compared with those obtained from experiments, as well as with the predictions of a non-dimensional thin walled beam finite element model. A detailed study is made of the sensitivity of the vibrational response to variations in the fiber orientation, material properties of the individual layers, and boundary conditions.

Carden, Huey D.↗

Free vibrations of thin-walled semicircular graphite-epoxy composite frames

A detailed study is made of the effects of variations in lamination and material parameters of thin walled composite frames on their vibrational characteristics. The structures considered are semicircular thin walled frames with I and J sections. The flanges and webs of the frames are modeled by using 2-D shell and plate finite elements. A mixed formulation is used with the fundamental unknowns consisting of both the generalized displacements and stress resultants in the frame. The frequencies and modes predicted by the 2-D finite element model are compared with those obtained from experiments, as well as with the predictions of a non-dimensional thin walled beam finite element model. A detailed study is made of the sensitivity of the vibrational response to variations in the fiber orientation, material properties of the individual layers, and boundary conditions.

Carden, Huey D.↗

Predicting Failure Using Deep Learning SAND Report

Accurate prediction of ductile failure is critical to Sandia’s NW mission, but the models are computationally heavy. The costs of including high-fidelity physics and mechanics that are germane to the failure mechanisms are often too burdensome for analysts either because of the person-hours it requires to input them or because of the additional computational time, or both. In an effort to deliver analysts a tool for representing these phenomena with minimal impact to their existing workflow, our project sought to develop modern data-driven methods that would add microstructural information to business-as-usual calculations and expedite failure predictions. The goal is a tool that receives as input a structural model with stress and strain fields, as well as a machine-learned model, and output predictions of structural response in time, including failure. As such, our project spent substantial time performing high-fidelity, three-dimensional experiments to elucidate materials mechanisms of void nucleation and evolution. We developed crystal-plasticity finite-element models from the experimental observations to enrich the findings with fields not readily measured. We developed engineering length-scale simulations of replicated test specimens to understand how the engineering fields evolve in the presence of fine-scale defects. Finally, we developed deep learning convolutional neural networks, and graph-based neural networks to encode the findings of the experiments and simulations and make forward predictions in time for structural performance. This project demonstrated the power of data-driven methods for model development, which have the potential to vastly increase both the accuracy and speed of failure predictions. These benefits and the methods necessary to develop them are highlighted in this report. However, many challenges remain to implementing these in real applications, and these are discussed along with potential methods for overcoming them.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA-UVA Light Aerospace Alloy and Structures Technology Program (LA2ST)

The NASA-UVA Light Aerospace Alloy and Structures Technology (LA2ST) Program was initiated in 1986 and continues with a high level of activity. The objective of the LA2ST Program is to conduct interdisciplinary graduate student research on the performance of next generation, light-weight aerospace alloys, composites and thermal gradient structures in collaboration with NASA-Langley researchers. Specific technical objectives are presented for each research project. We generally aim to produce relevant data and basic understanding of material mechanical response, environmental/corrosion behavior, and microstructure; new monolithic and composite alloys; advanced processing methods; new solid and fluid mechanics analyses; measurement and modeling advances; and a pool of educated graduate students for aerospace technologies. Three research areas are being actively investigated, including: (1) Mechanical and environmental degradation mechanisms in advanced light metals, (2) Aerospace materials science, and (3) Mechanics of materials for light aerospace structures.

Scully, John R.↗