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NASA NTRS1980

Method for alleviating thermal stress damage in laminates

A method is provided for alleviating the stress damage in metallic matrix composites, such as laminated sheet or foil composites. Discontinuities are positively introduced into the interface between the layers so as to reduce the thermal stress produced by unequal expansion of the materials making up the composite. Although a number of discrete elements could be used to form one of the layers and thus carry out this purpose, the discontinuities are preferably produced by simply drilling holes in the metallic matrix layer or by forming grooves in a grid pattern in this layer.

Hoffman, C. A.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Scale-Resolving Simulations of Low-Pressure Turbine Cascades with Wall Roughness Using A Spectral-Element Method

The accurate prediction of wall-roughness effects in turbomachinery is becoming critical as turbine designers address airfoil surface quality and degradation concerns arising from the shift to advanced ceramic matrix composite (CMC) or additively-manufactured airfoils operating in higher temperature environments. In this paper, a recently developed computational capability for accurate and efficient scale-resolving simulations of turbomachinery is extended to analyze the boundary- layer separation and transition characteristics in a rough-wall low-pressure turbine (LPT) cascade. The computational capability is based on an entropy-stable discontinuous-Galerkin spectral-element approach that extends to arbitrarily high orders of spatial and temporal accuracy, and is implemented in an efficient manner for a modern high performance computer architecture. Results from the scale-resolving simulations of both smooth and rough airfoil cascades are presented and compared to previous experiments and numerical simulations. The results show that the suction surface boundary layer undergoes laminar separation, transition, and turbulent reattachment for the smooth airfoil cascade, while in the presence of roughness the separation and transition behavior of the suction surface boundary layer is substantially modified. The differences between the smooth and rough airfoil cascades are then highlighted by a detailed analysis of their respective turbulent flow fields.

Spectral-Element↗

NASA NTRS1988

A hybrid-stress finite element for linear anisotropic elasticity

Standard assumed displacement finite elements with anisotropic material properties perform poorly in complex stress fields such as combined bending and shear and combined bending and torsion. A set of three dimensional hybrid-stress brick elements were developed with fully anisotropic material properties. Both eight-node and twenty-node bricks were developed based on the symmetry group theory of Punch and Atluri. An eight-node brick was also developed using complete polynomials and stress basis functions and reducing the order of the resulting stress parameter matrix by applying equilibrium constraints and stress compatibility constraints. Here the stress compatibility constraints must be formulated assuming anisotropic material properties. The performance of these elements was examined in numerical examples covering a broad range of stress distributions. The stress predictions show significant improvement over the assumed displacement elements but the calculation time is increased.

Fly, Gerald W.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Finite-element solution for a combined radiative-conductive analysis with mixed diffuse-specular surface characteristics

The finite-element method has been applied to solve a combined radiative-conductive heat transfer problem for a large space telescope similar to those used in orbiting satellites. The derivation of the underlying matrices and associated solution algorithm for a 2-D triangular element is presented in detail. The resulting expressions for this triangular element typify such an analysis, which yields constitutive matrices when the heat equation is cast in the matrix form. The relevant matrices include those pertaining to thermal conductance, internal heat generation, radiative exchanges, and all possible external thermal loadings. Emphasis is placed on the treatment of non-linear radiative interchange between surfaces in an enclosure having mixed diffuse-specular surface characteristics. Essential differences in governing equations describing these distinctive surface characteristics are identified. Concluding remarks are drawn from an example simulating a Cassegrainian space telescope.

Lee, H.-P.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Analysis of fatigue damage in composites

Finite-element heat-transfer analysis determines sites of potential failure in composite materials. Method is sensitive to matrix damage and fiber disbonding that occurs long before actual fiber breakage.

Whitcomb, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Application of finite element substructuring to composite micromechanics

Finite element substructuring is used to predict unidirectional fiber composite hygral (moisture), thermal, and mechanical properties. COSMIC NASTRAN and MSC/NASTRAN are used to perform the finite element analysis. The results obtained from the finite element model are compared with those obtained from the simplified composite micromechanics equations. A unidirectional composite structure made of boron/HM-epoxy, S-glass/IMHS-epoxy and AS/IMHS-epoxy are studied. The finite element analysis is performed using three dimensional isoparametric brick elements and two distinct models. The first model consists of a single cell (one fiber surrounded by matrix) to form a square. The second model uses the single cell and substructuring to form a nine cell square array. To compare computer time and results with the nine cell superelement model, another nine cell model is constructed using conventional mesh generation techniques. An independent computer program consisting of the simplified micromechanics equation is developed to predict the hygral, thermal, and mechanical properties for this comparison. The results indicate that advanced techniques can be used advantageously for fiber composite micromechanics.

Caruso, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Stability and Convergence of Underintegrated Finite Element Approximations

The effects of underintegration on the numerical stability and convergence characteristics of certain classes of finite element approximations were analyzed. Particular attention is given to hourglassing instabilities that arise from underintegrating the stiffness matrix entries and checkerboard instabilities that arise from underintegrating constrain terms such as those arising from incompressibility conditions. A fundamental result reported here is the proof that the fully integrated stiffness is restored in some cases through a post-processing operation.

Oden, J. T.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Application of Iosipescu specimen geometry to determination of shear strength in unidirectional composites

The Iosipescu (1967) test method, in conjunction with a finite element analysis of anisotropic, unidirectionally reinforced composite specimens, can be used to derive composite shear strength values despite the small size of the samples used. When such a specimen is loaded parallel to the fiber direction, fracture occurs by shear within a narrow region near the center of the specimen; this is consistent with the maximum shear area determined by finite element analysis. The resulting fracture surface, as observed, is characteristic of shear failure, occurring either within the matrix or at the fiber-matrix interface. Problems of compressive and mixed mode failure which accrue to short beam shear specimens are by the present method precluded.

Hurwitz, F. I.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Delamination and debonding of materials

The general topics consist of stress analysis, mechanical behavior, and fractography/NDI of composite laminates. Papers are presented on a dynamic hybrid finite-element analysis for interfacial cracks in composites, energy release rate during delamination crack growth in composite laminates, matrix deformation and fracture in graphite-reinforced epoxies, and the role of delamination and damage development on the strength of thick notched laminates. In addition, consideration is given to a new ply model for interlaminar stress analysis, a fracture mechanics approach for designing adhesively bonded joints, the analysis of local delaminations and their influence on composite laminate behavior, and moisture and temperature effects on the mixed-mode delamination fracture of unidirectional graphite/epoxy.

Johnson, W. S.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Factorization Of Positive Definite, Banded Hermitian Matrices

Report discusses application of Cholesky factorization algorithm to positive definite, banded Hermitian matrices. Begins by extending Cholesky factorization algorithm to cover uniformly-partitioned, banded, positive definite matrices of rank n that is real symmetric or Hermitian. Then two stratagems given for use of algorithm in concurrent-processing system in which N less than it has to be to enable factorization of matrix in as few serial steps as possible and where uniformly high efficiency expected from all processing elements. One of major purposes of this and related studies to maximize speedup and efficiency in system of concurrent-data-processing elements.

Salama, Moktar A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Advanced composite materials for precision segmented reflectors

The objective in the NASA Precision Segmented Reflector (PSR) project is to develop new composite material concepts for highly stable and durable reflectors with precision surfaces. The project focuses on alternate material concepts such as the development of new low coefficient of thermal expansion resins as matrices for graphite fiber reinforced composites, quartz fiber reinforced epoxies, and graphite reinforced glass. Low residual stress fabrication methods will be developed. When coupon specimens of these new material concepts have demonstrated the required surface accuracies and resistance to thermal distortion and microcracking, reflector panels will be fabricated and tested in simulated space environments. An important part of the program is the analytical modeling of environmental stability of these new composite materials concepts through constitutive equation development, modeling of microdamage in the composite matrix, and prediction of long term stability (including viscoelasticity). These analyses include both closed form and finite element solutions at the micro and macro levels.

Stein, Bland A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Development of a model of space station solar array

Space structures, such as the space station solar arrays, must be extremely lightweight, flexible structures. Accurate prediction of the natural frequencies and mode shapes is essential for determining the structural adequacy of components, and designing a control system. The tension preload in the blanket of photovoltaic solar collectors, and the free/free boundary conditions of a structure in space, causes serious reservations on the use of standard finite element techniques of solution. In particular, a phenomena known as grounding, or false stiffening, of the stiffness matrix occurs during rigid body rotation. The grounding phenomena is examined in detail. Numerous stiffness matrices developed by others are examined for rigid body rotation capability, and found lacking. Various techniques are used for developing new stiffness matrices from the rigorous solutions of the differential equations, including the solution of the directed force problem. A new directed force stiffness matrix developed by the author provides all the rigid body capabilities for the beam in space.

Bosela, Paul A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Modal Ring Method for the Scattering of Electromagnetic Waves

The modal ring method for electromagnetic scattering from perfectly electric conducting (PEC) symmetrical bodies is presented. The scattering body is represented by a line of finite elements (triangular) on its outer surface. The infinite computational region surrounding the body is represented analytically by an eigenfunction expansion. The modal ring method effectively reduces the two dimensional scattering problem to a one-dimensional problem similar to the method of moments. The modal element method is capable of handling very high frequency scattering because it has a highly banded solution matrix.

Baumeister, Kenneth J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Grounding of space structures

Space structures, such as the Space Station solar arrays, must be extremely light-weight, flexible structures. Accurate prediction of the natural frequencies and mode shapes is essential for determining the structural adequacy of components, and designing a controls system. The tension pre-load in the 'blanket' of photovoltaic solar collectors, and the free/free boundary conditions of a structure in space, causes serious reservations on the use of standard finite element techniques of solution. In particular, a phenomenon known as 'grounding', or false stiffening, of the stiffness matrix occurs during rigid body rotation. This paper examines the grounding phenomenon in detail. Numerous stiffness matrices developed by others are examined for rigid body rotation capability, and found lacking. A force imbalance inherent in the formulations examined is the likely cause of the grounding problem, suggesting the need for a directed force formulation.

Bosela, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Thermal stress analysis of composites in the space environment

A finite element micromechanics approach was utilized to investigate the thermally induced stress fields in continuous fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites at temperatures typical of spacecraft operating environments. The influence of laminate orientation was investigated with a simple global/local formulation. Thermal stress calculations were used to predict probable damage initiation locations, and the results were compared to experimentally observed damage in several epoxy matrix composites. The influence of an interphase region on the interfacial stress states was investigated.

Bowles, David E.↗

NASA NTRS2014

A Multiscale Progressive Failure Modeling Methodology for Composites that Includes Fiber Strength Stochastics

A multiscale modeling methodology was developed for continuous fiber composites that incorporates a statistical distribution of fiber strengths into coupled multiscale micromechanics/finite element (FE) analyses. A modified two-parameter Weibull cumulative distribution function, which accounts for the effect of fiber length on the probability of failure, was used to characterize the statistical distribution of fiber strengths. A parametric study using the NASA Micromechanics Analysis Code with the Generalized Method of Cells (MAC/GMC) was performed to assess the effect of variable fiber strengths on local composite failure within a repeating unit cell (RUC) and subsequent global failure. The NASA code FEAMAC and the ABAQUS finite element solver were used to analyze the progressive failure of a unidirectional SCS-6/TIMETAL 21S metal matrix composite tensile dogbone specimen at 650 degC. Multiscale progressive failure analyses were performed to quantify the effect of spatially varying fiber strengths on the RUC-averaged and global stress-strain responses and failure. The ultimate composite strengths and distribution of failure locations (predominately within the gage section) reasonably matched the experimentally observed failure behavior. The predicted composite failure behavior suggests that use of macroscale models that exploit global geometric symmetries are inappropriate for cases where the actual distribution of local fiber strengths displays no such symmetries. This issue has not received much attention in the literature. Moreover, the model discretization at a specific length scale can have a profound effect on the computational costs associated with multiscale simulations.models that yield accurate yet tractable results.

Generalized Method of Cells↗

NASA NTRS2020

Multigrid Preconditioning for a Space-Time Spectral-Element Discontinuous-Galerkin Solver

In this work we examine a multigrid preconditioning approach in the context of a high- order tensor-product discontinuous-Galerkin spectral-element solver. We couple multigrid ideas together with memory lean and efficient tensor-product preconditioned matrix-free smoothers. Block ILU(0)-preconditioned GMRES smoothers are employed on the coarsest spaces. The performance is evaluated on nonlinear problems arising from unsteady scale- resolving solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations: separated low-Mach unsteady ow over an airfoil from laminar to turbulent ow. A reduction in the number of ne space iterations is observed, which proves the efficiency of the approach in terms of preconditioning the linear systems, however this gain was not reflected in the CPU time. Finally, the preconditioner is successfully applied to problems characterized by stiff source terms such as the set of RANS equations, where the simple tensor product preconditioner fails. Theoretical justification about the findings is reported and future work is outlined.

Franciolini, Matteo↗

NASA NTRS2001

Structural Modeling of a Five-Meter Thin Film Inflatable Antenna/Concentrator With Rigidized Support Struts

Dynamic characterization of a non-rigidized thin film inflatable antenna/solar concentrator structure with rigidized composite support struts is described in detail. A two-step finite element modeling approach in MSC/NASTRAN is utilized, consisting of: (1) a nonlinear static pressurization procedure used to obtain the updated stiffness matrix, and (2) a modal "restart" eigen solution that uses the modified stiffness matrix. Unique problems encountered in modeling of this large 5-m lightweight inflatable are identified, including considerable difficulty in obtaining convergence in the nonlinear pressurization solution. It was found that the extremely thin polyimide film material (.001 in or I mil) presents tremendous problems in obtaining a converged solution when internal pressure loading is applied. It was concluded that the ratios of film thickness to other geometric dimensions such as torus cross-sectional and ring diameter and lenticular diameter are the critical parameters for convergence of the pressurization procedure. Comparison of finite element predictions for frequency and mode shapes with experimental results indicated reasonable agreement considering the complexity of the structure, the film-to-air interaction, and the nonlinear material properties of the film. It was also concluded that analysis should be done using different finite element to codes to determine if a more robust and stable solution can be obtained.

Smalley, Kurt B.↗