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At least 847 records · Page 47

NASA/FAA general aviation crash dynamics program - A status report

The objective of the Langley Research Center general aviation crash dynamics program is to develop technology for improved crash safety and occupant survivability in general aviation aircraft. The program involves three basic areas of research: controlled full-scale crash testing, nonlinear structural analyses to predict large deflection elasto-plastic response, and load attenuating concepts for use in improved seat and subfloor structure. Both analytical and experimental methods are used to develop expertise in these areas. Analyses include simplified procedures for estimating energy dissipating capabilities and complex computerized procedures for predicting airframe response. These analyses are being developed to provide designers with methods for predicting accelerations, loads, and displacements of collapsing structure. Tests on typical full-scale aircraft and on full- and sub-scale structural components are being performed to verify the analyses and to demonstrate load attenuating concepts.

Thomson, R. G.↗

Structural Sizing of the EDIN0620 Body Components Using the APAS Structural Synthesis Computer Program

The use of a structural synthesis computer program to design components for a heavy lift launch vehicle is defined. A loads program was used to determine the vehicle shears, bending moments, and axial loads at two design loading conditions. A comparison was made between results from the structures program and the results of a weight estimating program which used historical data in determining component weights.

Nolte, W. E.↗

Acoustic and Thermal Testing of an Integrated Multilayer Insulation and Broad Area Cooling Shield System

A Multilayer Insulation (MLI) and Broad Area Cooling (BAC) shield thermal control system shows promise for long-duration storage of cryogenic propellant. The NASA Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer (CPST) project is investigating the thermal and structural performance of this tank-applied integrated system. The MLI/BAC Shield Acoustic and Thermal Test was performed to evaluate the MLI/BAC shield's structural performance by subjecting it to worst-case launch acoustic loads. Identical thermal tests using Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) were performed before and after the acoustic test. The data from these tests was compared to determine if any degradation occurred in the thermal performance of the system as a result of exposure to the acoustic loads. The thermal test series consisted of two primary components: a passive boil-off test to evaluate the MLI performance and an active cooling test to evaluate the integrated MLI/BAC shield system with chilled vapor circulating through the BAC shield tubes. The acoustic test used loads closely matching the worst-case envelope of all launch vehicles currently under consideration for CPST. Acoustic test results yielded reasonable responses for the given load. The thermal test matrix was completed prior to the acoustic test and successfully repeated after the acoustic test. Data was compared and yielded near identical results, indicating that the MLI/BAC shield configuration tested in this series is an option for structurally implementing this thermal control system concept.

Wood, J. J.↗

Acoustic and Thermal Testing of an Integrated Multilayer Insulation and Broad Area Cooling Shield System

A Multilayer Insulation (MLI) and Broad Area Cooling (BAC) shield thermal control system shows promise for long-duration storage of cryogenic propellant. The NASA Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer (CPST) project is investigating the thermal and structural performance of this tank-applied integrated system. The MLI/BAC Shield Acoustic and Thermal Test was performed to evaluate the MLI/BAC shield's structural performance by subjecting it to worst-case launch acoustic loads. Identical thermal tests using Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) were performed before and after the acoustic test. The data from these tests was compared to determine if any degradation occurred in the thermal performance of the system as a result of exposure to the acoustic loads. The thermal test series consisted of two primary components: a passive boil-off test to evaluate the MLI performance and an active cooling test to evaluate the integrated MLI/BAC shield system with chilled vapor circulating through the BAC shield tubes. The acoustic test used loads closely matching the worst-case envelope of all launch vehicles currently under consideration for CPST. Acoustic test results yielded reasonable responses for the given load. The thermal test matrix was completed prior to the acoustic test and successfully repeated after the acoustic test. Data was compared and yielded near identical results, indicating that the MLI/BAC shield configuration tested in this series is an option for structurally implementing this thermal control system concept.

Wood, Jessica J.↗

Validation of new and existing methods for time-domain simulations of turbulence and loads

We seek to obtain a second-by-second match between the simulated and measured structural loads of a utility-scale wind turbine. To obtain the one-to-one load simulations, we start with the furthest upstream component of the modeling chain: the turbulent inflow. We consider new and existing methods to generate constrained-turbulence flow fields. The new method is based on large-eddy simulations (LES) and machine learning (ML). The existing methods include Kaimal-based TurbSim and the superstatistical wind field model. The inflow measurements used to constrain these simulations are obtained with a nacelle-mounted scanning lidar. We compare the flow fields for the different inflow simulation approaches and validate their associated load predictions against measurements collected in the Rotor Aero-dynamics, Aeroelastics, and Wake (RAAW) field campaign. We find that the rotor-position control developed for this study is key in enabling the time match between measurements and simulations. When this control approach is used, the load simulation performance tracks with the inflow simulation fidelity, with LES+ML yielding errors ≤ 4% for the damage-equivalent loads of flapwise bending moment, and tower fore-aft bending moments.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Electromagnetic Transient Modeling of Data Centers

This report serves as a user manual for the accompanying EMT model library developed by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) for various equipment in large data centers. The EMT model library enables detailed modeling of large data center loads for conducting grid stability studies. The EMT model library for data centers include detailed models of a 5.5 kW power supply unit (PSU), a 2.5 uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a 260 MW gas turbine-generator, a 500 kW motor load, and a 33 kW IT rack. These components represent all major equipment in data centers that need to be modeled for performing grid stability studies for data centers.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

The Study of the Relationship between Probabilistic Design and Axiomatic Design Methodology

The structural design, or the design of machine elements, has been traditionally based on deterministic design methodology. The deterministic method considers all design parameters to be known with certainty. This methodology is, therefore, inadequate to design complex structures that are subjected to a variety of complex, severe loading conditions. A nonlinear behavior that is dependent on stress, stress rate, temperature, number of load cycles, and time is observed on all components subjected to complex conditions. These complex conditions introduce uncertainties; hence, the actual factor of safety margin remains unknown. In the deterministic methodology, the contingency of failure is discounted; hence, there is a use of a high factor of safety. It may be most useful in situations where the design structures are simple. The probabilistic method is concerned with the probability of non-failure performance of structures or machine elements. It is much more useful in situations where the design is characterized by complex geometry, possibility of catastrophic failure, sensitive loads and material properties. Also included: Comparative Study of the use of AGMA Geometry Factors and Probabilistic Design Methodology in the Design of Compact Spur Gear Set.

Onwubiko, Chin-Yere↗

Mechanical and Thermophysical Properties of 3D-Printed SiC-FY20

In the Transformational Challenge Reactor (TCR), the fuel blocks consist of an additively-manufactured silicon carbide (SiC) matrix and uranium nitride tristructural isotropic (UN TRISO) fuel particles, which are stacked to form fuel columns. The SiC matrix is manufactured using binderjet 3D printing followed by loading the TRISO fuel particles and the chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) process. Because the fuel matrix is a primary component of the TCR core and its response to mechanical and thermal loads during operation is one of the most influential factors on the integrity of TCR core, testing and evaluation have focused on producing mechanical and thermophysical properties data for the binderjet/CVI SiC. Mechanical and thermophysical properties were measured from various types of specimens printed for two or three orientations, which included equibiaxial flexural failure strength, elastic constants, thermal diffusivity and conductivity, density, and the coefficient of thermal expansion. Flexural failure strength datasets showed similar Weibull distributions regardless of sample variants including different orientations. The mean failure strengths of the 3D-printed SiC variants were in the range of 286–306 MPa, which are 22–27% lower than that of the CVD SiC. Thermophysical test results showed that specific heat and thermal expansion are not sensitive to the build directions of SiC samples, while thermal diffusivity is highly dependent on the build direction and can be correlated to the anisotropic character of the 3D-printed SiC. This report also includes discussions on the uniaxial tensile properties of the as-printed SiC before CVI and on ongoing efforts for irradiation effects studies.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Life assessment of combustor liner using unified constitutive models

Hot section components of gas turbine engines are subject to severe thermomechanical loads during each mission cycle. Inelastic deformation can be induced in localized regions leading to eventual fatigue cracking. Assessment of durability requires reasonably accurate calculation of the structural response at the critical location for crack initiation. In recent years nonlinear finite element computer codes have become available for calculating inelastic structural response under cyclic loading. NASA-Lewis sponsored the development of unified constitutive material models and their implementation in nonlinear finite element computer codes for the structural analysis of hot section components. These unified models were evaluated with regard to their effect on the life prediction of a hot section component. The component considered was a gas turbine engine combustor liner. A typical engine mission cycle was used for the thermal and structural analyses. The analyses were performed on a CRAY computer using the MARC finite element code. The results were compared with laboratory test results, in terms of crack initiation lives.

Tong, M. T.↗

A Tool for Model-Based Generation of Scenario-driven Electric Power Load Profiles

Power consumption during all phases of spacecraft flight is of great interest to the aerospace community. As a result, significant analysis effort is exerted to understand the rates of electrical energy generation and consumption under many operational scenarios of the system. Previously, no standard tool existed for creating and maintaining a power equipment list (PEL) of spacecraft components that consume power, and no standard tool existed for generating power load profiles based on this PEL information during mission design phases. This paper presents the Scenario Power Load Analysis Tool (SPLAT) as a model-based systems engineering tool aiming to solve those problems. SPLAT is a plugin for MagicDraw (No Magic, Inc.) that aids in creating and maintaining a PEL, and also generates a power and temporal variable constraint set, in Maple language syntax, based on specified operational scenarios. The constraint set can be solved in Maple to show electric load profiles (i.e. power consumption from loads over time). SPLAT creates these load profiles from three modeled inputs: 1) a list of system components and their respective power modes, 2) a decomposition hierarchy of the system into these components, and 3) the specification of at least one scenario, which consists of temporal constraints on component power modes. In order to demonstrate how this information is represented in a system model, a notional example of a spacecraft planetary flyby is introduced. This example is also used to explain the overall functionality of SPLAT, and how this is used to generate electric power load profiles. Lastly, a cursory review of the usage of SPLAT on the Cold Atom Laboratory project is presented to show how the tool was used in an actual space hardware design application.

power load profile↗

Mixed mode stress intensity-factors in transversely loaded plates

An attempt is made to establish the validity of the antiplane solution and to calculate all components of the stress intensity factor (SIF) at the crack front for thin plates subjected to mode III loading. The stress analysis was performed for a range of thickness to crack length (b/a) ratio, which covered long cracks in a thin aircraft fuselage structure (b/a = 0.05).

Shivakumar, Kunigal N.↗

Bearing tester fit analysis

A NASTRAN model of the Bearing Tester was developed to determine the fit of its components while in use. The model was executed for three loading conditions involving appropriate thermal and pressure loading throughout: rotation (30,000 rpm), rotation with 5000 lb axial shaft loading, and rotation with 2000 lb lateral shaft loading. A 30 deg slice of the Bearing Tester was modeled with solid isoparametric elements (CIHEX). Five more slices were generated to form a 180 deg symmetrical half. Each component was modeled separately for two reasons: (1) in the heat transfer version each component required covering with appropriate heat transfer coefficient elements, and (2) for the displacement version each component required independent radial expansion with respect to adjacent components. The components are connected at fastener and bearing locations axially and/or tangentially. Differences in radial displacements of adjacent cylindrical surfaces were calculated and added to those differences calculated for 180 deg opposite locations to determine the diametric change.

Source record↗

Three-dimensional inelastic approximate analysis code (MOMM)

The Mechanics of Materials Model (MOMM) is one of a series of new stand-alone three dimensional nonlinear structural analysis codes. Incorporation of a general purpose finite element computer code into the hot section design process was severely limited by the high costs involved. MOMM is a stiffness method finite element code that uses an internally generated network of beams to characterize hot section component behavior. The method was proposed as a fast, easy to use, computationally efficient tool for approximate analyses. MOMM incorporates a wide variety of analysis capabilities, material models, and load type specifiers instrumental for the analysis of hot section components.

Meister, Jeffrey P.↗

Structural Definition and Mass Estimation of Lunar Surface Habitats for the Lunar Architecture Team Phase 2 (LAT-2) Study

The Lunar Architecture Team Phase 2 study defined and assessed architecture options for a Lunar Outpost at the Moon's South Pole. The Habitation Focus Element Team was responsible for developing concepts for all of the Habitats and pressurized logistics modules particular to each of the architectures, and defined the shapes, volumes and internal layouts considering human factors, surface operations and safety requirements, as well as Lander mass and volume constraints. The Structures Subsystem Team developed structural concepts, sizing estimates and mass estimates for the primary Habitat structure. In these studies, the primary structure was decomposed into a more detailed list of components to be sized to gain greater insight into concept mass contributors. Structural mass estimates were developed that captured the effect of major design parameters such as internal pressure load. Analytical and empirical equations were developed for each structural component identified. Over 20 different hard-shell, hybrid expandable and inflatable soft-shell Habitat and pressurized logistics module concepts were sized and compared to assess structural performance and efficiency during the study. Habitats were developed in three categories; Mini Habs that are removed from the Lander and placed on the Lunar surface, Monolithic habitats that remain on the Lander, and Habitats that are part of the Mobile Lander system. Each category of Habitat resulted in structural concepts with advantages and disadvantages. The same modular shell components could be used for the Mini Hab concept, maximizing commonality and minimizing development costs. Larger Habitats had higher volumetric mass efficiency and floor area than smaller Habitats (whose mass was dominated by fixed items such as domes and frames). Hybrid and pure expandable Habitat structures were very mass-efficient, but the structures technology is less mature, and the ability to efficiently package and deploy internal subsystems remains an open issue.

Dorsey, John T.↗

Occupant Response Analysis of a Full-Scale Crash Test of a Fokker F28 Fellowship Aircraft

In this report, the capability of component fuselage testing and finite element models (FEMs) to predict occupant injury risk when applied to full-scale aircraft crash testing was evaluated. Component level and full-scale crash tests of a Fokker-F28 aircraft were performed in conjunction with representative FEM simulations. Lumbar spine injury risk, calculated through Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) outputs measured in the full-scale test, was compared with predictions made by component level testing and simulations. A quantitative assessment of FEM prediction accuracy was made using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Report (TR) 16250 curve comparison methodology. Lumbar load injury risk measured in the full-scale test configuration was found to be significantly higher than in the component tests performed. The FEM provided a closer prediction of occupant injury risk than component testing but exhibited limitations in the multi-axis load environment. This work will help inform the application of component testing and FEM simulation when used to evaluate aircraft crashworthiness.

Jacob B Putnam↗

Development of a facility for large-scale testing of multistory buildings

Current experimental research pertaining to response of structures subjected to lateral loads such as strong winds or earthquake motions is limited to either tests of single structural components or small scale multistory structures. The feasibility of developing a facility where large scale multistory structures could be loaded to failure is discussed. The test facility would consist of a series of hydraulic actuators mounted on reaction frames currently in use at the Marshall Space Flight Center for structural testing of spacecraft components. The actuators would be controlled from signals computed by an on-line analysis of measured data. This method of loading could be used to simulate inertial forces resisted by a structure behaving in the non linear range of response subjected to motion at the base or to impulses along the height as would occur during a strong earthquake or wind.

Abrams, D. P.↗

Hydro-isostatic deflection and tectonic tilting in the central Andes: Initial results of a GPS survey of Lake Minchin shorelines

Sufficiently large lake loads provide a means of probing rheological stratification of the crust and upper mantle. Lake Minchin was the largest of the late Pleistocene pluvial lakes in the central Andes. Prominent shorelines, which formed during temporary still-stands in the climatically driven lake level history, preserve records of lateral variations in subsequent net vertical motions. At its maximum extent the lake was 140 m deep and spanned 400 km N-S and 200 km E-R. The load of surficial water contained in Lake Minchin was sufficient to depress the crust and underlying mantle by 20-40 m, depending on the subjacent rheology. Any other differential vertical motions will also be recorded as departures from horizontality of the shorelines. We recently conducted a survey of shoreline elevations of Lake Minchin with the express intent of monitoring the hydro-isostatic deflection and tectonic tilting. Using real-time differential Global Positioning System (GPS), we measured topographic profiles across suites of shorelines at 15 widely separated locations throughout the basin. Horizontal and vertical accuracies attained are roughly 30 and 70 cm, respectively. Geomorphic evidence suggests that the highest shoreline was occupied only briefly (probably less than 200 years) and radiocarbon dates on gastropod shells found in association with the shore deposits constrain the age to roughly 17 kyr. The basin-side pattern of elevations of the highest shoreline is composed of two distinct signals: (27 +/- 1) m of hydro-isostatic deflection due to the lake load, and a planar tilt with east and north components of (6.8 +/- 0.4) 10(exp -5) and 9-5.3 +/- 0.3) 10(exp -5). This rate of tilting is too high to be plausibly attributed to steady tectonism, and presumably reflects some unresolved combination of tectonism plus the effects of oceanic and lacustrine loads on a laterally heterogeneous substrate. The history of lake level fluctuations is still inadequately known to allow detailed inferences of crust and mantle rheology. However, it is already clear that the effective elastic plate thickness is closer to 40 km than the 60-70 km crustal thickness in the central Andes and the effective viscosity is less than 5 10(exp 20) Pa s.

Bills, Bruce G.↗

Load Variation Influences on Joint Work During Squat Exercise in Reduced Gravity

Resistance exercises that load the axial skeleton, such as the parallel squat, are incorporated as a critical component of a space exercise program designed to maximize the stimuli for bone remodeling and muscle loading. Astronauts on the International Space Station perform regular resistance exercise using the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED). Squat exercises on Earth entail moving a portion of the body weight plus the added bar load, whereas in microgravity the body weight is 0, so all load must be applied via the bar. Crewmembers exercising in microgravity currently add approx.70% of their body weight to the bar load as compensation for the absence of the body weight. This level of body weight replacement (BWR) was determined by crewmember feedback and personal experience without any quantitative data. The purpose of this evaluation was to utilize computational simulation to determine the appropriate level of BWR in microgravity necessary to replicate lower extremity joint work during squat exercise in normal gravity based on joint work. We hypothesized that joint work would be positively related to BWR load.

DeWitt, John K.↗