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At least 937 records · Page 52

Load Diffusion in Composite Structures

This research has been concerned with load diffusion in composite structures. Fundamental solid mechanics studies were carried out to provide a basis for assessing the complicated modeling necessary for 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. 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 results are also amendable to parameter study with a large parameter space and should be useful in structural tailoring studies.

Horgan, Cornelius O.↗

Effect of Loading Configuration on Kinematics and Kinetics for Deadlift and Squat Exercises: Case Study in Modeling Exercise Countermeasure Device for Astronauts

This study compares squat and deadlift exercises performed with two different loading configurations: 1) on a novel single-cable resistance exercise countermeasure device (ECD) for spaceflight and 2) with free weights. The results compare joint kinematics and kinetics between different loading configurations for each exercise, and also between the two exercises for each loading configuration. Single-cable versions of the squat (using a harness) and deadlift (using a T-bar) performed on the Hybrid Ultimate Lifting Kit (HULK) ECD have significantly different sagittal plane joint angle kinematics (both peak angle and range of motion) as well as joint kinetics (both peak joint moment and joint impulse) vs. their free weight equivalents at the same load. Differences also exist in hip abduction and rotation. Overall, the single-cable configurations tend to reduce peak joint angles, ranges of motion, peak joint moment and joint impulse vs. free weights. A notable exception is the lumbar joint, which is more heavily loaded for single-cable squats vs. free weight squats. This may have implications for both training benefit and possible risk of injury. Deadlift and squat exercises work the lower body musculature in different ways, with the deadlift emphasizing hip and lumbar extension and the squat emphasizing knee extension. Based on these findings, we would advocate the use of both movements in the exercise prescriptions of astronaut crews on deep-space missions.

Resistance Exercise↗

Waters Loads on the XJL-1 Hull as Obtained in Langley Impact Basin, TED No. NACA 2413.3

An investigation was conducted in the Langley impact basin of the water loads on a half scale model of the XJL-1 hull whose forebody has a vee bottom with exaggerated chine flare. The impact loads, moments, and pressures were determined for a range of landing conditions. A normal full-scale landing speed of 86 miles per hour was represented with effective flight paths ranging from 0.6deg to 11.6deg. Landings were made with both fixed trim and free-to-trim mounting of the float over a trim range of -15deg to 12deg into smooth water and into waves having equivalent full-scale length. of 120 feet and heights ranging from 1 to 4 feet. All data and results presented in this report are given in terms of equivalent full-scale values. Summary tables and illustrative plots are used in presenting the material. The following maximum values of load and pressure are those which are apropos for effective flight paths less than 6.5deg which was the maximum value obtained in tests with the XJL-1 hull model representing full-scale landings with vertical velocity of 4.5 feet per second into 4-foot waves. The maximum local pressure on the flat portion of the bottom is 130 pounds per square inch which was measured on a 2-inch-diameter circular area near the step. The maximum local pressure obtained in the curved area near the chines is 200 pounds per square inch. This pressure was also measured near the step.

Steiner, Margaret F.↗

Automatic control of a helicopter with a hanging load

An autopilot logic is designed here for controlling a helicopter with a hanging load. A 16th order model for the system is decoupled into four subsystems: (1) a second order system for yawing motion, (2) a second order system for vertical motion, (3) a sixth order system for longitudinal motion, and (4) a sixth order system for lateral motion. A measuring scheme, which could be used in remote areas, is developed and filters are designed to estimate the state variables from these measurements. The autopilot can be used to move the load over short distances without retracting the cables. This is done by automatically shifting the autopilot modes from position-hold (hover) to acceleration-hold to velocity-hold (cruise) to deceleration-hold to velocity-hold (near hover) to position-hold (hover). Use of such an autopilot might save considerable turnaround time. The Sikorsky S-61 helicopter is chosen as an example vehicle. The performance of the controlled system is studied in the presence of longitudinal and lateral winds.

Gupta, N. K.↗

Less Atmospheric Radiative Heating By Dust Due to the Synergy of Coarser Size and Aspherical Shape

Mineral dust aerosols cool and warm the atmosphere by scattering and absorbing solar (shortwave: SW) and thermal (longwave: LW) radiation. However, significant uncertainties remain in dust radiative effects, largely due to differences in the dust size distribution and spectral optical properties simulated in Earth system models. Dust models typically underestimate the coarse dust load (more than 2.5 µm in diameter) and assume a spherical shape, which leads to an overestimate of the fine dust load (less than 2.5 µm) after the dust emissions in the models are scaled to match observed dust aerosol optical depth at 550 nm (DAOD550). Here, we improve the simulated dust properties with data sets that leverage measurements of size-resolved dust concentration, asphericity factor, and refractive index in a coupled global chemical transport model with a radiative transfer module. After the adjustment of size-resolved dust concentration and spectral optical properties, the global and annual average of DAOD550 from the simulation increases from 0.023 to 0.029 and falls within the range of a semi-observationally based estimate (0.030 ± 0.005). The reduction of fine dust load after the adjustment leads to a reduction of the SW cooling at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). To improve agreement against a semi-observationally based estimate of the radiative effect efficiency at TOA, we find that a less absorptive SW dust refractive index is required for coarser aspherical dust. Thus, only a minor difference is estimated for the net global dust radiative effect at TOA (−0.08 vs. −0.00 W m−2 on a global scale). Conversely, our sensitivity simulations reveal that the surface warming is substantially enhanced near the strong dust source regions (less cooling to −0.23 from −0.60 W m−2 on a global scale). Thus, less atmospheric radiative heating is estimated near the major source regions (less heating to 0.15 from 0.59 W m−2 on a global scale), because of enhanced LW warming at the surface by the synergy of coarser size and aspherical shape.

simulated dust properties↗

Inelastic deformation of metal matrix composites

A theoretical model capable of predicting the thermomechanical response of continuously reinforced metal matrix composite laminates subjected to multiaxial loading was developed. A micromechanical model is used in conjunction with nonlinear lamination theory to determine inelastic laminae response. Matrix viscoplasticity, residual stresses, and damage to the fiber/matrix interfacial zone are explicitly included in the model. The representative cell of the micromechanical model is considered to be in a state of generalized plane strain, enabling a quasi two-dimensional analysis to be performed. Constant strain finite elements are formulated with elastic-viscoplastic constitutive equations. Interfacial debonding is incorporated into the model through interface elements based on the interfacial debonding theory originally presented by Needleman, and modified by Tvergaard. Nonlinear interfacial constitutive equations relate interfacial tractions to displacement discontinuities at the interface. Theoretical predictions are compared with the results of an experimental program conducted on silicon carbide/titanium (SiC/Ti) unidirectional, (O4), and angle-ply, (+34)(sub s), tubular specimens. Multiaxial loading included increments of axial tension, compression, torque, and internal pressure. Loadings were chosen in an effort to distinguish inelastic deformation due to damage from matrix plasticity and separate time-dependent effects from time-independent effects. Results show that fiber/matrix debonding is nonuniform throughout the composite and is a major factor in the effective response. Also, significant creep behavior occurs at relatively low applied stress levels at room temperature.

Lissenden, C. J.↗

Development of a Continuum Damage Mechanics Material Model of a Graphite-Kevlar(Registered Trademark) Hybrid Fabric for Simulating the Impact Response of Energy Absorbing Kevlar(Registered Trademark) Hybrid Fabric for Simulating the Impact Response of Energy Absorbing

This paper describes the development of input properties for a continuum damage mechanics based material model, Mat 58, within LS-DYNA(Registered Trademark) to simulate the response of a graphite-Kevlar(Registered Trademark) hybrid plain weave fabric. A limited set of material characterization tests were performed on the hybrid graphite-Kevlar(Registered Trademark) fabric. Simple finite element models were executed in LS-DYNA(Registered Trademark) to simulate the material characterization tests and to verify the Mat 58 material model. Once verified, the Mat 58 model was used in finite element models of two composite energy absorbers: a conical-shaped design, designated the "conusoid," fabricated of four layers of hybrid graphite-Kevlar(Registered Trademark) fabric; and, a sinusoidal-shaped foam sandwich design, designated the "sinusoid," fabricated of the same hybrid fabric face sheets with a foam core. Dynamic crush tests were performed on components of the two energy absorbers, which were designed to limit average vertical accelerations to 25- to 40-g, to minimize peak crush loads, and to generate relatively long crush stroke values under dynamic loading conditions. Finite element models of the two energy absorbers utilized the Mat 58 model that had been verified through material characterization testing. Excellent predictions of the dynamic crushing response were obtained.

Jackson, Karen E.↗

Applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic engine developments

There are potential space exploration missions which may significantly benefit from the use of electric propulsion at power levels of hundreds of kilowatts. The applied magnetic field MPD thruster is potentially capable of efficient, high specific impulse operation in this power range. This paper describes current experimental and analytical efforts to further the development of such a thruster and presents the latest results. In particular, efforts to measure, simultaneously, the thrust developed by the archead and by the electromagnet, and to evaluate the effect of a diffuser on vacuum tank back pressure, are presented and discussed. It was found that with ammonia vapor as propellant, the vacuum tank pressure was reduced from 8 to 4.9 Pa at a power level of 80 kW. This pressure decrease is expected to become greater as the power and applied field are increased. Also, the development of a cathode/plasma interaction model for determining the heat loads to the cathode as functions of the various free stream plasma parameters is presented. This model is combined with a cathode thermal model in order to provide a complete and integrated picture of MPD thruster cathode operation. Several computational examples are used to illustrate the combined model.

Goodfellow, K. D.↗

Continued development and validation of the AER two-dimensional interactive model

Results from two-dimensional chemistry-transport models have been used to predict the future behavior of ozone in the stratosphere. Since the transport circulation, temperature, and aerosol surface area are fixed in these models, they cannot account for the effects of changes in these quantities, which could be modified because of ozone redistribution and/or other changes in the troposphere associated with climate changes. Interactive two-dimensional models, which calculate the transport circulation and temperature along with concentrations of the chemical species, could provide answers to complement the results from three-dimension model calculations. In this project, we performed the following tasks in pursuit of the respective goals: (1) We continued to refine the 2-D chemistry-transport model; (2) We developed a microphysics model to calculate the aerosol loading and its size distribution; (3) The treatment of physics in the AER 2-D interactive model were refined in the following areas--the heating rate in the troposphere, and wave-forcing from propagation of planetary waves.

Ko, M. K. W.↗

High Current Cathode Thermal Behavior, Part II: Theory

Cathode erosion is one of the life limiting mechanisms for several classes of electric thrusters. Since cathode erosion is strongly dependent on the cathode temperature, a quantitative understanding of the effects of cathode operation on the cathode temperature is required. The development of a cathode/plasma interaction model for determining the heat loads to the cathode as function of the various free stream plasma parameters is presented. This model is combined with a cathode thermal model in order to provide a complete and integrated picture of high current cathode operation.

cathode erosion cathode temperature high current c↗

A study of delamination buckling of laminates

The subject of this paper is the buckling of laminated plates, with a preexisting delamination, subjected to in-plane loading. Each laminate is modelled as an orthotropic Mindlin plate. The analysis is carried out by a combination of the finite element and asymptotic expansion methods. By applying the finite element method, plates with general delamination regions can be studied. The asymptotic expansion method reduces the number of unknown variables of the eigenvalue equation to that of the equation for a single Kirchhoff plate. Numerical results are presented for several examples. The effects of the shape, size, and position of the delamination on the buckling load are studied through these examples.

Mukherjee, Yu-Xie↗

Buckling Response of a Large-Scale, Seamless, Orthogrid-Stiffened Metallic Cylinder

Results from the buckling test of a compression-loaded 8-ft-diameter seamless (i.e., without manufacturing joints), orthogrid-stiffened metallic cylinder are presented. This test was used to assess the buckling response and imperfection sensitivity characteristics of a seamless cylinder. In addition, the test article and test served as a technology demonstration to show the application of the flow forming manufacturing process to build more efficient buckling-critical structures by eliminating the welded joints that are traditionally used in the manufacturing of large metallic barrels. Pretest predictions of the cylinder buckling response were obtained using a finite-element model that included measured geometric imperfections. The buckling load predicted using this model was 697,000 lb, and the test article buckled at 743,000 lb (6% higher). After the test, the model was revised to account for measured variations in skin and stiffener geometry, nonuniform loading, and material properties. The revised model predicted a buckling load of 754,000 lb, which is within 1.5% of the tested buckling load. In addition, it was determined that the load carrying capability of the seamless cylinder is approximately 28% greater than a corresponding cylinder with welded joints.

Rudd, Michelle Tillotson↗

A model study of landing mat subjected to C-5A loadings

The 1.22 x 1.37 m mat runway in the standard brick pattern with transverse hinged joints is more stable and less susceptible to a buckling failure than the 0.60 x 2.74 m mat runway. Use of tension anchors appears to be a feasible means of controlling longitudinal displacement of the runway and potential runway buckling. Anchors appear to be a practical means to reduce maintenance on mat runways. The 1.22 x 1.37 m mat in the alternate brick pattern or the 90 deg rotated standard brick pattern forms a dynamically more stable runway with a high resistance to buckling failure. The runway in these patterns is much stiffer and longitudinal movement was less than for the standard brick pattern. The model 1.22 x 1.37 m alternate brick pattern runway was difficult to assemble and extremely difficult to take apart.

Blotter, P. T.↗

Analysis of Open Hole Compression Specimens Using the CompDam Continuum Damage Mechanics Model

This report documents a validation study on the standard Open Hole Compression (OHC) laminate test specimen conducted as part of the NASA Advanced Composites Project (ACP). Tests were conducted on OHC specimens with hard, quasi-isotropic, and soft layups using digital image correlation and X-Ray computed tomography to capture the structural response and damage evolution. Progressive damage models were constructed for use with the CompDam continuum damage mechanics code following the best practices established during the ACP. Detailed interrogation of the analysis results and comparison with experimental measurements provide a basis for assessing the capability of the modeling approach for OHC. The structural response is found to be captured well, with strengths predicted within 3\% of the experimental values for hard and quasi-isotropic laminates. In the soft laminate, the model predicts failure to be more brittle than the nonlinear, ductile response that was measured. Damage states extracted from the models at the same load level as test measurements are overlaid to show directly the similarities and differences between test and analysis results. Studying the damage evolution predicted by the analysis reveals that the failure process is a competition between fiber damage and delamination/sub-laminate buckling, with fiber damage dominating the collapse in the hard laminate and sub-laminate buckling governing in the soft laminate. Finally, a series of parametric studies varying numerical solution parameters (mesh size, mass scaling) and physical properties (fiber direction compressive strength and toughness) reveal sensitivities and deficiencies of the model. To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first for OHC specimens to include detailed evaluation of damage mode interactions, direct overlay of predicted and measured damage states, and sensitivity of the predicted results to difficult-to-measure fiber direction material properties.

Continuum damage mechanics↗

Low speed wind tunnel investigation of span load alteration, forward-located spoilers, and splines as trailing-vortex-hazard alleviation devices on a transport aircraft model

The effectiveness of a forward-located spoiler, a spline, and span load alteration due to a flap configuration change as trailing-vortex-hazard alleviation methods was investigated. For the transport aircraft model in the normal approach configuration, the results indicate that either a forward-located spoiler or a spline is effective in reducing the trailing-vortex hazard. The results also indicate that large changes in span loading, due to retraction of the outboard flap, may be an effective method of reducing the trailing-vortex hazard.

Croom, D. R.↗

Experiment Evaluation of Bifurcation in Sands

The basic principles of bifurcation analysis have been established by several investigators, however several issues remain unresolved, specifically how do stress level, grain size distribution, and boundary conditions affect general bifurcation phenomena in pressure sensitive and dilatant materials. General geometrical and kinematics conditions for moving surfaces of discontinuity was derived and applied to problems of instability of solids. In 1962, the theoretical framework of bifurcation by studying the acceleration waves in elasto-plastic (J2) solids were presented. Bifurcation analysis for more specific forms of constitutive behavior was examined by studying localization in pressure-sensitive, dilatant materials, however, analyses were restricted to plane deformation states only. Bifurcation analyses were presented and applied to predict shear band formations in sand under plane strain condition. The properties of discontinuous bifurcation solutions for elastic-plastic solids under axisymmetric and plane strain loading conditions were studied. The study focused on theory, but also references and comparisons to experiments were made. The current paper includes a presentation of a summary of bifurcation analyses for biaxial and triaxial (axisymmetric) loading conditions. The Coulomb model is implemented using incremental piecewise scheme to predict the constitutive relations and shear band inclination angles. Then, a comprehensive evaluation of bifurcation phenomena is presented based on data from triaxial experiments performed under microgravity conditions aboard the Space Shuttle under very low effective confining pressure (0.05 to 1.30 kPa), in which very high peak friction angles (47 to 75 degrees) and dilatancy angles (30 to 31 degrees) were measured. The evaluation will be extended to include biaxial experiments performed on the same material under low (10 kPa) and moderate (100 kPa) confining pressures. A comparison between the behavior under biaxial and triaxial loading conditions will be presented, and related issues concerning influence of confining pressure will be discussed.

Alshibi, Khalid A.↗

Development and correlation: Viking Orbiter analytical dynamic model with modal test

The Viking Orbiter (VO) experience in the achievement of a mathematical model is described along with the following project activities: (1) the generation of the overall plan for load analysis, an analytical dynamic model, and development tests; (2) the performance of VO subsystem static and modal tests; and (3) the correlation of the VO system model analysis and test. Success is attributed to the coordination of analysis and test using substructure modal coupling techniques.

Wada, B. K.↗

Review of the Effects of Microstructure on Fatigue in Aluminum Alloys

Literature survey was conducted to determine the effects of different microstructural features and different load histories on fatigue crack initiation and propagation of aluminum alloys. Comparison of microstructure and monotonic and cyclic properties between powder metallurgy (P/M) and ingot metallurgy (I/M) alloys is presented. The two alloys that are representative of each process on which the comparison is focused are X7091 and 7050. Included is a detailed description of the microstructure produced through the P/M and I/M proesses. The effect of each pertinent microstructural feature on monotonic and cyclic properties, such as yield strength, toughness, crack initiation and propagation is discussed. Also discussed are the proposed mechanisms for crack initiation and propagation, as well as the effects of aggressive environments on these cyclic properties. The effects of variable amplitude loadin on fatigue crack propagation and the various models proposed to predict load interaction effects are discussed.

Telesman, J.↗