Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “load tests”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 883 records · Page 49

Structural tests on space shuttle thermal protection system constructed with nondensified and densified Li 900 and LI 2200 tile

Structural tests were conducted on thermal protection systems (TPS) LI 900 and LI 2200 tiles and .41 cm and .23 cm thick strain isolation pads. The bond surface of selected tiles was densified to obtain improved strength. Four basic types of experiments were conducted including tension tests, substrate mismatch (initial imperfection) tests, tension loads eccentrically applied, and pressure loads applied rapidly to the tile top surface. A small initial imperfection mismatch (2.29 m spherical radius on the substrate) did not influence significantly the ultimate failure strength. Densification of the tile bond region improved the strength of TPS constructed both of LI 900 tile and of LI 2200 tile. Pressure shock conditions studied did not significantly affect the TPS strength.

Williams, J. G.↗

A flight investigation of blade-section aerodynamics for a helicopter main rotor having 10-64C airfoil sections

Pressure data at 90 percent blade radius were obtained for a helicopter main rotor with 10-64C blade sections during flight. Concurrent measurements ere made of vehicle flight state, performance and some rotor loads. The test envelope included hover, level flight from about 65 to 162 knots, climb and descent, and collective fixed maneuvers. Good agreement is shown between some sets of airfoil pressure distributions obtained in flight and those from two-dimensional wind-tunnel tests or theoretical calculations.

Morris, C. E. K., Jr.↗

A flight investigation of blade-section aerodynamics for a helicopter main rotor having RC-SC2 airfoil sections

Pressure data at 90 percent blade radius for a helicopter main rotor with RC-SC2 blade sections was obtained. Concurrent measurements were made of vehicle flight state, performance and some rotor loads. The test envelope included hover, level flight from about 65 to 144 knots, climb and descent, and collective fixed maneuvers. Airfoil pressure distributions obtained in flight agree with those theoretical calculations for two dimensional, steady flow.

Morris, C. E. K., Jr.↗

Fatigue and fracture research in metals

Fatigue and fracture research on monolithic and laminated metals is discussed. The research concentrated on three areas: stress analyses of two and three dimensional cracked bodies, fatigue crack growth, and fracture toughness. Analytical methods were developed to predict fatigue crack growth and fracture strengths of cracked specimens. Such specimens represent typical aircraft structural details (such as cracks from holes). These specimens were subjected to simple constant amplitude loading and to more complex flight load histories. Test data from both in house tests and from the literature are used to substantiate the analytical methods. These analyses extended the theory of fracture mechanics to deal with fatigue crack growth and fracture of complex crack configurations that are typical of aircraft materials and structural details.

J. C. Newman, Jr.↗

Technical support package: Flexible seal accommodates part mismatch. NASA Tech Briefs, Fall 1982, volume 7, no. 1

A radial seal for the inside diameter of a part that develops an out-of-round condition and grows under pressure was developed. The primary seal consists of overlapping segments fabricated from metal or composite material that has been molded into a rubber jacket. The purpose of the segments is to provide the strength to withstand side loads (seal tested at 2,300 psi), and the rubber encapsulation provides the sealing surface and needed flexibility to conform to the variable eccentric shape.

Source record↗

Some inelastic effects of thermal cycling on ZrO2-Y2O3 materials

An analysis has been developed which relates the effects of inelastic behavior of Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) materials. The results show these materials to be sensitive to small changes in temperature and are supported by measurements of inelastic behavior in disk and bar specimens at temperatures as low as 1010 C (1850 F). At higher thermomechanical loads, the test specimens can deform to strains greater than 1 percent and for bar specimens, with sufficient strength, to remain bonded to the metallic substrate.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Alkaline regenerative fuel cell energy storage system for manned orbital satellites

It is pointed out that the alkaline regenerative fuel cell system represents a highly efficient, lightweight, reliable approach for providing energy storage in an orbiting satellite. In addition to its energy storage function, the system can supply hydrogen and oxygen for attitude control of the satellite and for life support. A summary is presented of the results to date obtained in connection with the NASA-sponsored fuel cell technology advancement program, giving particular attention to the requirements of the alkaline regenerative fuel cell and the low-earth mission. Attention is given to system design guidelines, weight considerations, gold-platinum cathode cell performance, matrix development, the electrolyte reservoir plate, and the cyclical load profile tests.

Martin, R. E.↗

Some inelastic effects of thermal cycling on yttria-stabilized zirconia

The effects of inelastic behavior of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) materials were analyzed. The results show these materials to be sensitive to small changes in temperature and are supported by measurements of inelastic behavior in disc and bar specimens at temperatures as low as 1010 C (1850 F). At higher thermomechanical loadings, the test specimens can deform to strains above 1 percent.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Hygrothermomechanical evaluation of transverse filament tape epoxy/polyester fiberglass composites

Transverse filament tape (TFT) fiberglass/epoxy and TFT polyester composites intended for low cost wind turbine blade fabrication have been subjected to static and cyclic load behavior tests whose results are presently evaluated on the basis of an integrated hygrothermomechanical response theory. Laminate testing employed simulated filament winding procedures. The results obtained show that the predicted hygrothermomechanical environmental effects on TFT composites are in good agreement with measured data for various properties, including fatigue at different R-ratio values.

Lark, R. F.↗

Effect of multiple strain-anneal cycles on the 1000 C creep behaviour of gamma/gamma prime-alpha

Various multiple strain-anneal cycles (1000 C) were imposed on specimens of the directionally solidified eutectic (DSE) alloy gamma/gamma prime-alpha to identify thermomechanical processing methods (TMP) which would improve the creep behavior. Specimens of the Ni-32.3Mo-6.3Al wt pct alloy were grown with a modified Bridgeman technique. Some of the cylindrical specimens were alternately heat-treated at 900 C, then strained, or heat-treated only, while other specimens were annealed at 900 C after swaging and then worked at ambient temperature. The specimens were all examined microstructurally using transmission electron microscopy, some before and after being exposed to constant-load compression tests at 1000 C. The creep strain increased for all TMP specimens for strain rates of at least 2 millionths per sec. Strain rates of about 2 ten millionths per sec were only improved with strain annealing with 13 percent work at ambient temperature. A slight improvement, compared to as-grown materials, was observed in the 1000 C creep behavior of materials annealed at 900 C. Strain-annealing was found to introduce three-dimensional dislocation networks into the gamma-prime matrix.

Whittenberger, J. D.↗

Analysis and reconstruction of helicopter load spectra

Notched metal test samples are presently subjected to helicopter load histories and the results obtained are compared to the fatigue-life predictions of a simplified version of the local-strain method. After studying the case of a peak/valley reconstructed history based on the standard spectrum, attention is given to a second, more irregular one based on actual flight data which is used to generate three reconstructed histories based on peak-valley, to-from, and rainflow characteristics. Comparisons indicate the rainflow cycle approach to be the most promising.

Khosrovaneh, A. K.↗

Three-dimensional elastic-plastic analysis of shallow cracks in single-edge-crack-tension specimens

Three dimensional, elastic-plastic, finite element results are presented for single-edge crack-tension specimens with several shallow crack-length-to-width ratios (0.05 less than or equal to a/W less than or equal to 0.5). Results showed the need to model the initial yield plateau in the stress-strain behavior to accurately model deformation of the A36 steel specimens. The crack-tip-opening-displacement was found to be linearly proportional to the crack-mouth-opening displacement. A new deformation dependent plastic-eta factor equation is presented for calculating the J-integral from test load-displacement records. This equation was shown to be accurate for all crack lengths considered.

Shivakumar, Kunigal N.↗

High temperature fatigue behavior of a SiC/Ti-24Al-11Nb composite

A series of tension-tension strain- and load-controlled tests were conducted on unidirectional SiC/Ti-24Al-11Nb (at percent) composites at 425 and 815 C. Several regimes of damage were identified using Talrega's concept of fatigue life diagrams. Issues of test technique, test control mode, and definition of failure were also addressed.

Bartolotta, P. A.↗

Measurements and mechanisms of localized aqueous corrosion in aluminum-lithium-copper alloys

Summary information is included for electrochemical aspects of stress corrosion cracking in alloy 2090 and an introduction to the work to be initiated on the new X2095 (Weldalite) alloy system. Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) was studied in both S-T and L-T orientations in alloy 2090. A constant load TTF test was performed in several environments with a potentiostatically applied potential. In the same environments the electrochemical behavior of phases found along subgrain boundaries was assessed. It was found that rapid failure due to SCC occurred when the following criteria was met: E(sub BR,T1) is less than E(sub applied) is less than E(sub Br, matrix phase). Although the L-T orientation is usually considered more resistant to SCC, failures in this orientation occurred when the stated criteria was met. This may be due to the relatively isotropic geometry of the subgrains which measure approximately 12 to 25 microns in diameters. Initial studies of alloy X2095 includes electrochemical characterization of three compositional variations each at three temperatures. The role of T(sub 1) dissolution in SCC behavior is addressed using techniques similar to those used in the research of 2090 described. SCC susceptibility is also studied using alternate immersion facilities at Reynolds Metals Corporation. Pitting is investigated in terms of stability, role of precipitate phases and constituent particles, and as initiation sites for SCC. In all research endeavors, attempts are made to link electrochemistry to microstructure. Previous work on 2090 provides a convenient basis for comparison since both alloys contain T(sub 1) precipitates but with different distributions. In 2090 T(sub 1) forms preferentially on subgrain boundaries whereas in X2095 the microstructure appears to be more homogeneous with finer T(sub 1) particles. Another point for comparison is the delta prime strengthening phase found in 2090 but absent in X2095.

Wall, Douglas↗

Tail venting for enhanced yaw damping at spinning conditions

An investigation was conducted in the NASA Langley 20-ft Vertical Spin Tunnel to determine the spin and spin-recovery characteristics of a 1/11-scale model of a low-wing general aviation airplane with a horizontal tail modified with variable-size gaps to allow ventilation of the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Erect spins at symmetric loadings were tested with varying gap sizes on either or both sides of the horizontal tail. The model results indicate that the basic airplane (with no gaps) exhibits a fast, flat spin from which no recoveries can be obtained. The airplane with the modified tail has either a fast, flat spin from which no recoveries or poor recoveries may be made, or a slower, steeper spin from which fair to excellent recoveries may be obtained, depending on the size and orientation of the tail gaps. The major contribution to spin recovery was from the gap on the leeward side of the tail. Gap widths of 15-25 percent of the tail semispan were needed to produce satisfactory recovery from the flat spin.

Stough, H. P., III↗

Three-dimensional elastic-plastic analysis of shallow cracks in single-edge-crack-tension specimens

Three-dimensional, elastic-plastic, finite-element results are presented for single-edge crack-tension specimens with several shallow crack-length-to-width ratios (0.05 less than or equal to a/W less than or equal to 0.5). Results showed the need to model the initial yield plateau in the stress-strain behavior to accurately model deformation of the A36 steel specimens. The crack-tip-opening-displacement was found to be linearly proportional to the crack-mouth-opening displacement. A new deformation dependent plastic-eta factor equation is presented for calculating the J-integral from test load-displacement records. This equation was shown to be accurate for all crack lengths considered.

Shivakumar, Kunigal N.↗

Compression failure mechanisms of uni-ply composite plates with a circular cutout

The effect of circular-hole size on the failure mode of uniply graphite-epoxy composite plates is investigated experimentally and analytically for uniaxial compressive loading. The test specimens are sandwiched between polyetherimide plastic for nondestructive evaluations of the uniply failure mechanisms associated with a range of hole sizes. Finite-element modeling based on classical lamination theory is conducted for the corresponding materials and geometries to reproduce the experimental results analytically. The type of compressive failure is found to be a function of hole size, with fiber buckling/kinking at the hole being the dominant failure mechanism for hole diam/plate width ratios exceeding 0.062. The results of the finite-element analysis supported the experimental data for these failure mechanisms and for those corresponding to smaller hole sizes.

Khamseh, A. R.↗

High-temperature fatigue behavior of a SiC/Ti-24Al-11Nb composite

A series of tension-tension strain- and load-controlled tests were conducted on unidirectional SiC/Ti-24Al-11Nb (at. percent) composites at 425 and 815 C. Several regimes of damage were identified using Talreja's concept of fatigue life diagrams. Issues of test technique, test control mode, and definition of failure were also addressed.

Bartolotta, Paul A.↗