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At least 811 records · Page 45

Analytical and physical modeling program for the NASA Lewis Research Center's Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT)

An effort is currently underway at the NASA Lewis Research Center to rehabilitate and extend the capabilities of the Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT). This extended capability will include a maximum test section Mach number of about 0.9 at an altitude of 55,000 ft and a -20 F stagnation temperature (octagonal test section, 20 ft across the flats). In addition, the AWT will include an icing and acoustic research capability. In order to insure a technically sound design, an AWT modeling program (both analytical and physical) was initiated to provide essential input to the AWT final design process. This paper describes the modeling program, including the rationale and criteria used in program definition, and presents some early program results.

Abbott, J. M.↗

New Third-Order Moments for the CBL

Turbulent convection is an inherently non-local phenomenon and a primary condition for a successful treatment of the CBL (convective boundary layer) is a reliable model of non-locality. In the dynamic equations governing the convective flux, the turbulent kinetic energy, etc., non-locality is represented by the third-order moments, TOMs. Since the simplest form, the so-called down gradient approximation (DGA), severely underestimates the TOMs (up to an order of magnitude), a more physical model is needed. In 1994, an analytical model was presented which was derived directly from the dynamical equations for the TOMs. It considerably improved the DGA but was a bit cumbersome to use and, more importantly, it was based on the quasi-normal (QN) approximation for the fourth-order moments. Here, we present a new analytic expression for the TOMs which is structurally simpler than the 1994 expression and which avoids the QN approximation. The resulting fit to the LES data is superior to that of the 1994 model.

Canuto, V. M.↗

Effects of Material Degradation on the Structural Integrity of Composite Materials: Experimental Investigation and Modeling of High Temperature Degradation Mechanisms

It has previously been demonstrated that simple coupled reaction-diffusion models can approximate the aging behavior of PMR-15 resin subjected to different oxidative environments. Based on empirically observed phenomena, a model coupling chemical reactions, both thermal and oxidative, with diffusion of oxygen into the material bulk should allow simulation of the aging process. Through preliminary modeling techniques such as this it has become apparent that accurate analytical models cannot be created until the phenomena which cause the aging of these materials are quantified. An experimental program is currently underway to quantify all of the reaction/diffusion related mechanisms involved. The following contains a summary of the experimental data which has been collected through thermogravimetric analyses of neat PMR-15 resin, along with analytical predictions from models based on the empirical data. Thermogravimetric analyses were carried out in a number of different environments - nitrogen, air and oxygen. The nitrogen provides data for the purely thermal degradation mechanisms while those in air provide data for the coupled oxidative-thermal process. The intent here is to effectively subtract the nitrogen atmosphere data (assumed to represent only thermal reactions) from the air and oxygen atmosphere data to back-figure the purely oxidative reactions. Once purely oxidative (concentration dependent) reactions have been quantified it should then be possible to quantify the diffusion of oxygen into the material bulk.

Cunningham, Ronan A.↗

Log-normal model for microbial survival in heat sterilization

An analytical model is developed for the survival times of organisms in heat sterilization in which the probability of inactivation as a function of exposure time is log-normally distributed. Experimental data is examined relative to this model and it is concluded that the model is valid except during the initial period of heating when an additional interaction between the organisms and their surrounding medium appears to be present. At long heating times, the log-normal model appears more accurate for extrapolating to low survival probabilities than the usual logarithmic survivor curves and is generally more conservative.

SURVIVAL↗

Application of an approach and landing system model to the space shuttle orbiter vehicle

An analytic model and procedure are described which can be used to estimate probability distributions of touchdown conditions, without utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation. Example applications are presented, including one-step and two-step flare strategies for the space shuttle orbiter. The computed probability distributions for the two-step flare are compared with the corresponding histograms from an independent Monte Carlo simulation of the same situation. The computed distributions are very good fits to the Monte-Carlo-generated histograms for pertinent longitudinal and lateral variables at three points (including touchdown) along the vehicle's final approach trajectory. The model, thus verified, has more inherent power for assessing the effects of system element changes than conventional Monte Carlo techniques.

Johnson, W. A.↗

Mathematical modelling of undrained clay behavior

The proposed general analytical model describes the anisotropic, elastoplastic, path-dependent, stress-strain properties of inviscid saturated clays under undrained conditions. Model parameters are determined by using results from strain-controlled simple shear tests on a saturated clay. The model's accuracy is evaluated by applying it to predict the results of other tests on the same clay, including monotonic and cyclic loading. The model explains the very anisotropic shear strength behavior observed for weak marine clays.

Prevost, J. H.↗

Evaluation of battery models for prediction of electric vehicle range

Three analytical models for predicting electric vehicle battery output and the corresponding electric vehicle range for various driving cycles were evaluated. The models were used to predict output and range, and then compared with experimentally determined values determined by laboratory tests on batteries using discharge cycles identical to those encountered by an actual electric vehicle while on SAE cycles. Results indicate that the modified Hoxie model gave the best predictions with an accuracy of about 97 to 98% in the best cases and 86% in the worst case. A computer program was written to perform the lengthy iterative calculations required. The program and hardware used to automatically discharge the battery are described.

Frank, H. A.↗

Modified shielding jet model for twin-jet shielding analysis

An analytical model to estimate the shielding of noise emitted from a point noise source has been developed assuming the shielding jet to be a cylinder of constant radius with uniform flow across the cross section. Comparison to experiment indicated that the model overestimates diffraction of sound around the jet in the far downstream region. The shielding jet model is modified to include widening downstream of the nozzle exit. This not only represents a more realistic model of the jet, but is also expected to improve the shielding estimate downstream. The modified jet model incorporates a Mach number dependent widening rate, a corresponding decrease in flow velocity downstream and an equivalent slug flow evaluation to retain the locally parallel flow approximation of the model development. The shielding analysis with modified jet model is compared to measured data for a subsonic isothermal air jet and a simulated hot subsonic jet. Improvement of the shielding estimate is discussed.

Gerhold, C. H.↗

Albedo of a forest modeled as a plane with dense protrusions

An analytical model for the absorption of solar radiation by surfaces such as a pine forest or a wheat field is presented. Objectives include understanding the parameters affecting the absorption of the solar irradiance in a complex structure, and determining the influence of the direction of illumination on light trapping. The surface is treated as a Lambertian reflectivity soil-plane; thin, vertical cylinders are regarded as Lambertian reflectors. Using a dimensionless protrusion parameter based on the height and diameter of the vertical plant elements, optical characteristics (e.g., the dependence of the albedo on the solar zenith angle) of a complex structure are well quantified.

Otterman, J.↗

Comprehensive modeling of a liquid rocket combustion chamber

An analytical model for the simulation of detailed three-phase combustion flows inside a liquid rocket combustion chamber is presented. The three phases involved are: a multispecies gaseous phase, an incompressible liquid phase, and a particulate droplet phase. The gas and liquid phases are continuum described in an Eulerian fashion. A two-phase solution capability for these continuum media is obtained through a marriage of the Implicit Continuous Eulerian (ICE) technique and the fractional Volume of Fluid (VOF) free surface description method. On the other hand, the particulate phase is given a discrete treatment and described in a Lagrangian fashion. All three phases are hence treated rigorously. Semi-empirical physical models are used to describe all interphase coupling terms as well as the chemistry among gaseous components. Sample calculations using the model are given. The results show promising application to truly comprehensive modeling of complex liquid-fueled engine systems.

Liang, P.-Y.↗

Two-dimensional modelling of compressive failure in delaminated laminates

An analytical model is developed to assess the compressive strength criticality of near-surface interlaminar defects in laminated composites. The delaminated region is elliptic in shape, separating a thick isotropic plate from a thin orthotropic layer whose material axes coincide with the ellipse axes. The growth conditions and growth behavior of this defect are studied by breaking the overall problem into an elastic stability problem and a fracture problem. Post-buckling solution for the elliptic section is obtained using the Rayleigh-Ritz method while an energy balance criterion based on a self-similar disbond growth governs the fracture. The parameters controlling the growth or arrest of the delamination damage are identified as the fracture energy, disbond depth and elastic properties of the materials from both sides of the delaminating interface. By varying the degree of material anisotropy relative to the loading axis a range in growth behavior was found including stable or unstable crack growth parallel to or normal to the loading axis.

Chai, H.↗

Conceptual designs and computer models of imaging radiometers for earth observations

An analytical model is developed based on engineering principles which can be used to predict the performance of spaceborne electro-optical remote sensors. Computer simulations and trade-off studies can be performed with this model to determine optimal sensor performance and design parameters. Computer algorithms were developed from which LOTUS spreadsheet macros were written. Computer simulations were performed to determine the performance characteristics and design parameters for the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer Nadir (MODIS-N) currently under development at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center.

Montgomery, Harry E.↗

New Third-Order Moments for the PBL

Turbulent convection is inherently non-local and a primary condition for a successful treatment of the PBL is a reliable model of non-locality. In the dynamic equations governing the convective flux, turbulent kinetic energy, etc, non-locality enters through the third-order moments, TOMs. Since the simplest form, the so-called down gradient approximation (DGA , severely underestimates the TOMs (by up to an order of magnitude), a more physical model is needed. In 1994, an analytical model was presented which was derived directly from the dynamical equations for the TOMs. It considerably improved the DGA but was a bit cumbersome to use. Here, we present a new analytic expression for the TOMs which is considerably simpler than the 1994 expression and which at the same time yields a much better fit to the LES data.

Canuto, V. M.↗

Developing a MATLAB(registered)-Based Tool for Visualization and Transformation

An important step in the structural design and development of spacecraft is the experimental identification of a structure s modal characteristics, such as its natural frequencies and modes of vibration. These characteristics are vital to developing a representative model of any given structure or analyzing the range of input frequencies that can be handled by a particular structure. When setting up such a representative model of a structure, careful measurements using precision equipment (such as accelerometers and instrumented hammers) must be made on many individual points of the structure in question. The coordinate location of each data point is used to construct a wireframe geometric model of the structure. Response measurements obtained from the accelerometers is used to generate the modal shapes of the particular structure. Graphically, this is displayed as a combination of the ways a structure will ideally respond to a specified force input. Two types of models of the tested structure are often used in modal analysis: an analytic model showing expected behavior of the structure, and an experimental model showing measured results due to observed phenomena. To evaluate the results from the experimental model, a comparison of analytic and experimental results must be made between the two models. However, comparisons between these two models become difficult when the two coordinate orientations differ in a manner such that results are displayed in an unclear fashion. Such a problem proposes the need for a tool that not only communicates a graphical image of a structure s wireframe geometry based on various measurement locations (called nodes), but also allows for a type of transformation of the image s coordinate geometry so that a model s coordinate orientation is made to match the orientation of another model. Such a tool should also be designed so that it is able to construct coordinate geometry based on many different listings of node locations and is able to transform the wireframe coordinate orientation to match almost any possible orientation (i.e. it should not be a problem specific application) if it is to be of much value in modal analysis. Also, since universal files are used to store modal parameters and wireframe geometry, the tool must be able to read and extract information from universal files and use these files to exchange model data.The purpose of this project is to develop such a tool as a computer graphical user interface (GUI) capable of performing the following tasks: 1) Browsing for a particular universal file within the computer directory and displaying the name of this file to the screen; 2) Plotting each of the nodes within the universal file in a useful, descriptive, and easily understood figure; 3) Reading the node numbers from the selected file and listing these node numbers to the user for selection in an easily accessible format; 4) Allowing for user selection of a new model orientation defined by three selected nodes; and 5) Allowing the user to specify a directory to which the transformed model s node locations will be saved, and saving the transformed node locations to the specified file.

Anderton, Blake J.↗

Reexamining supercritical gas adsorption theories in nano-porous shales under geological conditions

Adsorption is an important phenomenon in surface chemistry, especially for nano-porous shales. In the shale gas-in-place, adsorbed gas could contribute up to 85%. However, adsorption is hard to quantitatively characterize due to different adsorption mechanisms, patterns, surfaces, and pore sizes. Moreover, key thermodynamic parameters, such as the enthalpy of adsorption, are challenging to determine due to uncertainties in adsorbed gas densities used in constructing absolute isotherms. In this paper, we revisit the Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) model, analytically simplify Ono-Kondo (OK) models for subsurface shales, and compare commonly used mono- and multilayer adsorption models (e.g., Langmuir, supercritical Dubinin-Radushkevich (SDR), supercritical BET (SBET), and simplified OK (OKs) models) with recently proposed pressure-dependent adsorption densities to develop a practical and reliable methodology that can be used in the supercritical state, typical for subsurface black shale conditions.Three independent data sets were used for nitrogen and methane adsorption isotherms at different temperatures. Furthermore, we demonstrate that adsorption predicted by the SDR model is comparable or lower than that predicted by the SBET model, but higher than the amounts predicted by Langmuir and OK models. The nitrogen BET method tends to underestimate the accessible SSA for methane. Measurement of isosteric heat of adsorption is suggested instead of the experimental fitting method, due to the significant difference between the calculated results by two commonly used methods. Experimental fitting and simulation methods are also briefly reviewed to guide future research on shale gas adsorption.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Study of helicopterroll control effectiveness criteria

A study of helicopter roll control effectiveness based on closed-loop task performance measurement and modeling is presented. Roll control critieria are based on task margin, the excess of vehicle task performance capability over the pilot's task performance demand. Appropriate helicopter roll axis dynamic models are defined for use with analytic models for task performance. Both near-earth and up-and-away large-amplitude maneuvering phases are considered. The results of in-flight and moving-base simulation measurements are presented to support the roll control effectiveness criteria offered. This Volume contains the theoretical analysis, simulation results and criteria development.

Heffley, Robert K.↗

Prediction for Pressure Differential Across HEPA Filter Media Based on Media Characteristics and Particle Size Distribution

A new method for predicting the pressure drop across High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter media is proposed based upon mass deposited onto the filter and known physical characteristics of the filter media. Detailed are the methods used in conjunction with current filter loading models to predict the pressure drop, as well as tests conducted to validate the methods. The benefit of a prediction model for practical use lies in the manufacturing and service life of nuclear grade HEPA filters. HEPA filters for use in nuclear facilities have a prescribed expiration date and a maximum allowable operating pressure drop. Therefore, the ability to predict the pressure drop across a filter and relate it to an expected length of service time can enable a reduction in wasted filters. This will allow for more informed decisions to be made based upon the dictated life cycle of the filters. Also, understanding and predicting how the pressure drop of HEPA filter media behaves as a function of physical characteristics and loaded mass can assist in future design and manufacturing of filter media. Currently, most existing pressure drop models are either computationally based or analytical methods relying on data gathered during tests. Neither are practical for prediction; the computational methods are difficult to implement, and the current analytical methods are more useful as tools for analysis. The current analytical model developed by Bergman et al. is based upon the pressure drop from each media fiber and modeling the deposited particles as newly formed fibers. Using Bergman's model and the media properties, air properties, and known aerosol particle size distribution, a pressure drop curve as a function of loaded mass can be created. This curve implies initial loading in the depth of the filter media with a transition to pure surface loading on the filter face, and a sensitivity to an evolving particle size distribution as mass continues to load onto the filter. To implement the predictive model, knowledge of the mean filter fiber diameter and porosity of the filter media is required. Traditionally, the mean fiber diameter is calculated as an effective diameter from prior media testing, however, in this study a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) technique is used to acquire this variable. Validation of the predictive model is provided by flat sheet media tests under a controlled environment with a measured particle size distribution of the challenge aerosol and shows reasonable preliminary agreement.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Model updating based on sensitivities of system matrices

A new approach, which allows the physical parameters to be adjusted and preserves the structural connectivity condition, is developed in this paper. This approach is based on the sensitivities of the mass and stiffness matrices with respect to physical parameters in an attempt to use test data to correct the analytical model. The analytical mass and stiffness matrices can be corrected simultaneously. The modal data of the updated model dramatically converges to that of the test model. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the feasibility of this approach. Comparisons with the other methods are also given.

Huang, Hsin-Hsen↗