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At least 847 records · Page 47

An anisotropic viscoplasticity model for shale based on layered microstructure homogenization

Viscoplastic deformation of shale is frequently observed in many subsurface applications. Many studies have suggested that this viscoplastic behavior is anisotropic—specifically, transversely isotropic—and closely linked to the layered composite structure at the microscale. In this work, we develop a two-scale constitutive model for shale in which anisotropic viscoplastic behavior naturally emerges from semianalytical homogenization of a bilayer microstructure. The microstructure is modeled as a composite of soft layers, representing a ductile matrix formed by clay and organics, and hard layers, corresponding to a brittle matrix composed of stiff minerals. This layered microstructure renders the macroscopic behavior anisotropic, even when the individual layers are modeled with isotropic constitutive laws. Using a common correlation between clay and organic content and magnitude of creep, we apply a viscoplastic modified Cam-Clay plasticity model to the soft layers, while treating the hard layers as a linear elastic material to minimize the number of calibration parameters. We then describe the implementation of the proposed model in a standard material update subroutine. The model is validated with laboratory creep data on samples from three gas shale formations. We also demonstrate the computational behavior of the proposed model through simulation of time-dependent borehole closure in a shale formation with different bedding plane directions.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Large-scale calculations of 𝛽-decay rates and implications for 𝑟-process nucleosynthesis

Nuclear 𝛽 decay is a key element of the astrophysical rapid neutron capture process (𝑟 process). In this work, we present state-of-the-art global 𝛽-decay calculations based on the quantified relativistic nuclear energy density functional theory and the deformed proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation. Our analysis considers contributions from allowed and first-forbidden transitions. We used two point-coupling functionals with carefully calibrated time-odd terms and isoscalar pairing strength. The new calculations display consistent results for both employed functionals, especially near the neutron drip line, suggesting slower 𝛽 decays past the 𝑁=126 neutron shell closure than in commonly used 𝛽-decay models. The new rates, along with the existing rates based on the recent nonrelativistic global calculations, are found to slow down the synthesis of heavy elements in the 𝑟 process and significantly reduce the contribution of neutron-induced fission.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Characterization of an electrically conductive proppant for fracture diagnostics

Fracture diagnosis with electromagnetic (EM) and electrical tools requires proppants with high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. Lab measurements of the electrical and hydraulic conductivity of proppants are critical for selecting the best candidates. Such measurements greatly benefit simulations, field tests, and the ultimate application of such proppants in the field. To that end, a new lab protocol is developed for measuring the electrical and hydraulic conductivity of proppants. The lab setup, which mainly includes a resistivity core holder and a Hassler sleeve core holder, allows for simulation of realistic pressure and temperature conditions when making measurements. Petroleum coke (PC) is proposed as a candidate proppant because of its widespread availability and low cost. Lab measurements show that the effective electrical conductivity of pure PC in a model fracture is approximately 5000 S/m, under a closure stress greater than [Formula: see text] (4000 psi). When PC is mixed with sand, the effective electrical conductivity of the mixture decreases with an increasing weight percentage of sand. Although sand degrades the contact between PC particles, the electrical conductivity stays reasonably high (approximately 1700 S/m) when 50% sand is added. Hydraulic conductivity measurements show that when a fracture is propped with pure PC, the measured fracture conductivity is greater than [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) (dimensionless fracture conductivity greater than 100 for a shale with [Formula: see text] or 100 nD permeability) under a confining pressure of [Formula: see text] (6000 psi). This means that a fracture propped with PC is infinitely conductive in a typical shale formation. When sand is added, the fracture’s hydraulic conductivity becomes even higher, which clearly shows PC’s ability of sustaining high stresses. The proposed protocol provides a robust and effective method that can be generalized for lab testing for other candidate proppants. The data presented clearly show that PC has the potential for field-scale applications in EM hydraulic fracture diagnostics.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗

Solid Waste Release Calculations for the Composite Analysis Baseline Assessment

The purpose of the Hanford Site Composite Analysis (CA) is to provide an estimate of the cumulative radiological impacts from active and planned low-level radioactive waste disposals and other potentially interacting radioactive waste disposal sources that will remain following Hanford Site closure. The need for a waste form release model addressing multiple solid waste forms is documented in CP-60410, Hanford Site Composite Analysis Technical Approach Description: Waste Form Release.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Theoretical study of turbulent channel flow: Bulk properties, pressure fluctuations, and propagation of electromagnetic waves

In this paper, we apply two theoretical turbulence models, DIA and the recent GISS model, to study properties of a turbulent channel flow. Both models provide a turbulent kinetic energy spectral function E(k) as the solution of a non-linear equation; the two models employ the same source function but different closures. The source function is characterized by a rate n sub s (k) which is derived from the complex eigenvalues of the Orr--Sommerfeld (OS) equation in which the basic flow is taken to be of a Poiseuille type. The O--S equation is solved for a variety of Reynolds numbers corresponding to available experimental data. A physical argument is presented whereby the central line velocity characterizing the basic flow, U0 sup L, is not to be identified with the U0 appearing in the experimental Reynolds number. The theoretical results are compared with two types of experimental data: (1) turbulence bulk properties, and (2) properties that depend stongly on the structure of the turbulence spectrun at low wave numbers. The only existing analytical expression for Pi (k) cannot be used in the present case because it applies to the case of a flat plate, not a finite channel.

Canuto, V. M.↗

Theoretical study of turbulent channel flow - Bulk properties, pressure fluctuations, and propagation of electromagnetic waves

In this paper, we apply two theoretical turbulence models, DIA and the recent GISS model, to study properties of a turbulent channel flow. Both models provide a turbulent kinetic energy spectral function E(k) as the solution of a non-linear equation; the two models employ the same source function but different closures. The source function is characterized by a rate n sub s (k) which is derived from the complex eigenvalues of the Orr-Sommerfeld (OS) equation in which the basic flow is taken to be of a Poiseuille type. The O-S equation is solved for a variety of Reynolds numbers corresponding to available experimental data. A physical argument is presented whereby the central line velocity characterizing the basic flow, U0 sup L, is not to be identified with the U0 appearing in the experimental Reynolds number. The theoretical results are compared with two types of experimental data: (1) turbulence bulk properties, and (2) properties that depend strongly on the structure of the turbulence spectrum at low wave numbers. The only existing analytical expression for Pi (k) cannot be used in the present case because it applies to the case of a flat plate, not a finite channel.

Canuto, V. M.↗

On near-wall turbulent flow modelling

The behavior of various terms in the Reynolds-stress transport equations is evaluated in view results of near-wall turbulence characterizations which show that all components of the velocity-pressure gradient correlation vanish at the wall. A methodology for deriving an asymptotically correct model of the velocity-pressure gradient correlation is proposed, and a model capable of approaching the high-Reynolds number model for pressure distribution far from the wall is derived. A parametric study of the model constants introduced by the near-wall closure reveals that one constant in the dissipation-rate equation is Reynolds number-dependent; with this modification, excellent agreement is obtained with measured and simulated near-wall turbulence statistics.

Lai, Y. G.↗

Long-term orbital evolution of short-period comets found in Project Cosmo-DICE

Orbital evolutions of about 160 short-period (SP) comets are numerically integrated for 4400 years in the framework of a realistic dynamical model. By the round-trip error in closure test, a reliable time space of the integrated orbits is estimated for each comet. Majority of the SP comets with their Tisserand's constant(J) between 2.8 and 3.1 are found to evolve within the past 1000-2000 years from the orbits whose perihelia are near the Jovian orbit to the orbits with perihelia of 1-2 AU. This evolution is much more rapid than that expected from Monte Carlo simulations based on symmetric distribution of planetary perturbations, thus suggesting that asymmetry of perturbation distribution play an important role in cometary evolution. Several comets are shown to evolve from the near-Saturn orbits and then to be handed over under the control of Jupiter. We also find that a few comets were captured from long-period orbits (a = 75-125 AU) via only a few close encounters with Jupiter. It is confirmed that the captured SP comets of low-inclination with 2.7 less than J less than 3.1 show more or less strong chaotic behavior. On the other hand, comets with longer orbital period and/or of high inclination reveal slow or quasi-periodic orbital evolution.

Nakamura, Tsuko↗

Rotorcraft control system design for uncertain vehicle dynamics using quantitative feedback theory

Quantitative Feedback Theory describes a frequency-domain technique for the design of multi-input, multi-output control systems which must meet time or frequency domain performance criteria when specified uncertainty exists in the linear description of the vehicle dynamics. This theory is applied to the design of the longitudinal flight control system for a linear model of the BO-105C rotorcraft. Uncertainty in the vehicle model is due to the variation in the vehicle dynamics over a range of airspeeds from 0-100 kts. For purposes of exposition, the vehicle description contains no rotor or actuator dynamics. The design example indicates the manner in which significant uncertainty exists in the vehicle model. The advantage of using a sequential loop closure technique to reduce the cost of feedback is demonstrated by example.

Hess, R. A.↗

Long-Term Global Morphology of Gravity Wave Activity Using UARS Data

Gravity waves in satellite data from CRISTA and MLS are studied in depth this quarter. Results this quarter are somewhat limited due to the PI'S heavy involvement throughout this reporting period in on-site forecasting of mountain wave-induced turbulence for the NASA's ER-2 research aircraft at Kiruna, Sweden during the SAGE Ill Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE). Results reported concentrate on further mesoscale modeling studies of mountain waves over the southern Andes, evident in CRISTA and MLS data. Two-dimensional mesoscale model simulations are extended through generalization of model equations to include both rotation and a first-order turbulence closure scheme. Results of three experiments are analyzed in depth and submitted for publication. We also commence simulations with a three-dimensional mesoscale model (MM5) and present preliminary results for the CRISTA 1 period near southern South America. Combination of ground-based temperature data at 87 km from two sites with global HRDl data was continued this quarter, showing stationary planetary wave structures. This work was also submitted for publication.

Eckermann, Stephen D.↗

Elastomeric Thermal Insulation Design Considerations in Long, Aluminized Solid Rocket Motors

An all-new sounding rocket was designed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center that featured an aft finocyl, aluminized solid propellant grain and silica-filled ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (SFEPDM) internal insulation. Upon the initial static firing of the first of this new design, the solid rocket motor (SRM) case failed thermally just upstream of the aft closure early in the burn time. Subsequent fluid modeling indicated that the high-velocity combustion-product jets emanating from the fin-slots in the propellant grain were likely inducing a strongly swirling flow, thus substantially increasing the severity of the convective environment on the exposed portion of the SFEPDM insulation in this region. The aft portion of the fin-slots in another of the motors were filled with propellant to eliminate the possibility of both direct jet impingement on the exposed SFEPDM and the appearance of strongly swirling flow in the aft region of the motor. When static-fired, this motor's case still failed in the same axial location, and, though somewhat later than for the first static firing, still in less than 1/3rd of the desired burn duration. These results indicate that the extreme material decomposition rates of the SFEPDM in this application are not due to gas-phase convection or shear but rather to interactions with burning aluminum or alumina slag. Further comparisons with between SFEPDM performance in this design and that in other hot-fire tests provide insight into the mechanisms of SFEPDM decomposition in SRM aft domes that can guide the upcoming redesign effort, as well as other future SRM designs. These data also highlight the current limitations of modeling elastomeric insulators solely with diffusion-controlled, gas-phase thermochemistry in SRM regions with significant viscous shear and/or condense-phase impingement or flow.

Martin, Heath T.↗

TPSAS-NF1676L-30451-DND

The fundamental laws of the physics of fluid flow in the continuum regime are embedded in a somewhat "simple" set of partial differential equations describing the transport of mass, momentum, energy, and/orentropy. These basic equations can be manipulated to construct other important physical quantities such as vorticity that help further elucidate flow physics. Additionally, these equations can be nondimensionalized to identify important nondimensional groups governing compressible, reacting fluid flows, most prominently Reynolds, Mach, Froude, Prandtl, Lewis, Schmidt, Damkohler, and Zeldovich numbers. In this lecture, we present these governing equations and discuss the significance of the different terms and nondimensional groups. Furthermore, since these equations cannot be solved directly on current supercomputers for turbulent flows at Reynolds numbers of engineering interest, a scale reduction by averaging or filtering is introduced, which leads to a "closure" problem. The closure is then provided by introducing some common models. The current introduction is by no means complete, but it and the references herein may serve as a good starting point for learning about the most common approaches to turbulent reacting flows.

Tomasz (Tom) G Drozda↗

Validation of Delamination Growth Predictions under Fatigue Loading using the Single Leg Bending Specimen

The Single Leg Bending Specimen (SLB) was chosen for a study to compare experimentally determined delamination growth with analysis predictions. First, fatigue tests were performed on SLB specimens with several different starter delamination lengths. Specimens were cycled in load control and delamination length increase was continuously recorded with increasing number of cycles. Test results from different load levels were combined to capture the entire delamination growth law (Paris Law) over a wide range of energy release rates. Second, a recently developed interpolation scheme was used to predict the Paris Law associated with the SLB specimen. This interpolation scheme allows the calculation of the growth rates for a given mixed-mode ratio from known single-mode growth laws. Third, finite element analyses were performed using two-dimensional models of the SLB specimen. New Virtual Crack Closure Technique based analysis tools for automated delamination growth analysis under cyclic loading in Abaqus were used for growth predictions. Fourth, the predictions from analyses were compared to experimental fatigue data. Remaining analysis shortcomings were highlighted.

Ronald Krueger↗

Mechanical twinning of monazite expels radiogenic Pb

Mechanical twins form by the simple shear of the crystal lattice during deformation In order to test the potential of narrow twins in monazite to record the timing of their formation, a ~1,700 Ma monazite grain deformed at ~980 Ma was investigated by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT). APT 208Pb/232Th ages indicate that the twin was entirely reset by radiogenic Pb-loss during its formation at conditions far below the monazite closure temperature. The results are consistent with a model where Pb is liberated during rupture of REE-O bonds in the large REEO9 polyhedra during twinning. Liberated Pb is likely to migrate along fast diffusion pathways such as crystal defects. The combination of a quantitative microstructural investigation and nanogeochronology provides a new approach for understanding the history of accessory phases.

monazite↗

Numerical Analysis of Cavitation-Induced Two-Phase Fluid Transients in Cryogenic Feedlines Using Finite Volume Procedure

This article presents a numerical investigation of the cavitation induced fluid transient in cryogenic feedline due to sudden closure of the valve A one dimensional numerical model based on finite volume procedure consisting of nodes and branches using Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program ( has been employed for the prediction of pressure variations The unsteady friction formulation accurately determines wall shear stress, and a homogeneous mixture model is used for two phase flow modeling Numerical results obtained with the present formulation are compared with experimental results and Method of Characteristic ( based results It is observed that low residual in flow variable calculation improves the solution providing numerically stable results GFSSP is able to reproduce the fluid transient peak due to vapor collapse Subsequently, it can retain the shape of pressure wave for two phase fluid transients, but it is dampening faster compared to experiments Further investigation is required with set of experiments to validate the present numerical approach for different experimental data.

Fluid Transient↗

Modeling of near wall turbulence and modeling of bypass transition

The objectives for this project are as follows: (1) Modeling of the near wall turbulence: We aim to develop a second order closure for the near wall turbulence. As a first step of this project, we try to develop a kappa-epsilon model for near wall turbulence. We require the resulting model to be able to handle both near wall turbulence and turbulent flows away from the wall, computationally robust, and applicable for complex flow situations, flow with separation, for example, and (2) Modeling of the bypass transition: We aim to develop a bypass transition model which contains the effect of intermittency. Thus, the model can be used for both the transitional boundary layers and the turbulent boundary layers. We require the resulting model to give a good prediction of momentum and heat transfer within the transitional boundary and a good prediction of the effect of freestream turbulence on transitional boundary layers.

Yang, Z.↗