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At least 1,063 records · Page 59

Observations on Dynamic Qualification Testing of a Component with Nonlinear Deadband Interfaces

Typical flight hardware dynamic qualification tests exhibit nearly linear structural response when exposed to acceleration inputs from low to full qualification levels. Even in these “linear” cases, there is typically a trend of increasing damping with test levels. The nonlinear mechanism behind this increase in energy dissipation well understood – typically stick/slip hysteresis at joint connections. This paper is concerned with a different type of nonlinearity: deadbands at structural interfaces. Deadband nonlinearities can have a significant influence on structural response and modal/spectral characteristics which can present difficulties in test, analysis, and structural certification. This subject nonlinear behaviour is observed during flight qualification testing of the AQUARIUS instrument and discussed here. Simple physical reasoning and analytical model is utilized to explain the behaviour which is consistent with the test findings.

Majed, Arya↗

Dynamic analysis of flexible multibody structures

A system composed of several interconnected elastic components that may experience large angular motion relative to each other during operation is referred to as a flexible multibody structure. Several formulations were proposed for the determination of the dynamic response of controlled flexible multibody structures. In general, these formulations consist of superposing elastic deformations of the component body onto the large rigid body motion of the component. It was shown that this particular methodology for combining linear structural deformations with nonlinear kinematics can lead to erroneous response predictions when either the beam member is very flexible or the rotational speed is high. In addition, previous formulations introduce constraint equations to define the interrelations among system components. This approach increases the number of equations that must be solved, and may result in contraint violation when numerical error accumulates during the integration process. In order to overcome the difficulties, a new approach was suggested. The approach is essentially a finite element formulation which takes advantage of the fact that many multibody structures are joint dominated. The Large Angle Transient Dynamic Analysis (LATDYN) program for clarity of documentation, ease of use, user friendliness, modeling generality, and accuracy of results was evaluated. This required gaining a working familiarity with the code and performing several case studies.

Hernried, Alan G.↗

The Response of Precipitation Extremes to the Twentieth- and Twenty-First-Century Global Temperature Change in a Comprehensive Suite of CESM1 Large Ensemble Simulation: Revisiting the Role of Forcing Agents Vs. the Role of Forcing Magnitudes

The response of precipitation extremes (PEs) to global warming is found to be nonlinear in Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1) and other global climate models (Pendergrass et al., 2019), which led to the concern that it is not accurate to approximate the response of PE to a single forcing as the difference between simulations with all forcing agents and those that exclude one specific forcing. This calls into question previous model-based results that the sensitivity of PE with warming due to aerosol forcing is significantly larger than that due to greenhouse gases (GHGs). We reevaluate the PE sensitivity to GHGs and aerosols using available CESM1 ensemble simulations. We show that although the PE response to warming is nonlinear in CESM1, especially for the high warming projected in the twenty-first-century, PE sensitivity to aerosols is still significantly stronger than that due to GHGs when the comparison is made within similar warming regimes to avoid the bias induced by the nonlinear behavior. But the difference is smaller than previously estimated. We also conclude that the additivity assumption is largely valid to isolate the PE response due to aerosol forcing from the paired simulations including the “all forcing” experiment when the warming regime is small (e.g., 1°C–2°C in the next few decades when aerosol forcing is projected to decline and becomes a major source of uncertainty for model projection).

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

The Effect of Faster Engine Response on the Lateral Directional Control of a Damaged Aircraft

The integration of flight control and propulsion control has been a much discussed topic, especially for emergencies where the engines may be able to help stabilize and safely land a damaged aircraft. Previous research has shown that for the engines to be effective as flight control actuators, the response time to throttle commands must be improved. Other work has developed control modes that accept a higher risk of engine failure in exchange for improved engine response during an emergency. In this effort, a nonlinear engine model (the Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation 40k) has been integrated with a nonlinear airframe model (the Generic Transport Model) in order to evaluate the use of enhanced-response engines as alternative yaw rate control effectors. Tests of disturbance rejection and command tracking were used to determine the impact of the engines on the aircraft's dynamical behavior. Three engine control enhancements that improve the response time of the engine were implemented and tested in the integrated simulation. The enhancements were shown to increase the engine s effectiveness as a yaw rate control effector when used in an automatic feedback loop. The improvement is highly dependent upon flight condition; the airframe behavior is markedly improved at low altitude, low speed conditions, and relatively unchanged at high altitude, high speed.

May, Ryan D.↗

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.↗

Neural Networks to Find the Optimal Forcing for Offsetting the Anthropogenic Climate Change Effects

Abstract Of great relevance to climate engineering is the systematic relationship between the radiative forcing to the climate system and the response of the system, a relationship often represented by the linear response function (LRF) of the system. However, estimating the LRF often becomes an ill-posed inverse problem due to high-dimensionality and nonunique relationships between the forcing and response. Recent advances in machine learning make it possible to address the ill-posed inverse problem through regularization and sparse system fitting. Here, we develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) for regularized inversion. The CNN is trained using the surface temperature responses from a set of Green’s function perturbation experiments as imagery input data together with data sample densification. The resulting CNN model can infer the forcing pattern responsible for the temperature response from out-of-sample forcing scenarios. This promising proof of concept suggests a possible strategy for estimating the optimal forcing to negate certain undesirable effects of climate change. The limited success of this effort underscores the challenges of solving an inverse problem for a climate system with inherent nonlinearity. Significance Statement Predicting the climate response for a given climate forcing is a direct problem, while inferring the forcing for a given desired climate response is often an inverse, ill-posed, problem, posing a new challenge to the climate community. This study makes the first attempt to infer the radiative forcing for a given target pattern of global surface temperature response using a deep learning approach. The resulting deeply trained convolutional neural network inversion model shows promise in capturing the forcing pattern corresponding to a given surface temperature response, with a significant implication on the design of an optimal solar radiation management strategy for curbing global warming. This study also highlights the technical challenges that future research should prioritize in seeking feasible solutions to the inverse climate problem.

Ren, Huiying↗

Nonlinear interaction of near-planar TS waves and longitudinal vortices in boundary-layer transition

The nonlinear interactions that evolve between a planar or nearly planar Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) wave and the associated longitudinal vortices are considered theoretically for a boundary layer at high Reynolds number. The vortex flow is either induced by the TS nonlinear forcing or is input upstream, and similarly for the nonlinear wave development. Three major kinds of nonlinear spatial evolution, Types 1-3, are found. Each can start from secondary instability and then become nonlinear, Type 1 proving to be relatively benign but able to act as a pre-cursor to the Types 2, 3 which turn out to be very powerful nonlinear interactions. Type 2 involves faster stream-wise dependence and leads to a finite-distance blow-up in the amplitudes, which then triggers the full nonlinear 3-D triple-deck response, thus entirely altering the mean-flow profile locally. In contrast, Type 3 involves slower streamwise dependence but a faster spanwise response, with a small TS amplitude thereby causing an enhanced vortex effect which, again, is substantial enough to entirely alter the meanflow profile, on a more global scale. Streak-like formations in which there is localized concentration of streamwise vorticity and/or wave amplitude can appear, and certain of the nonlinear features also suggest by-pass processes for transition and significant changes in the flow structure downstream. The powerful nonlinear 3-D interactions 2, 3 are potentially very relevant to experimental findings in transition.

Smith, F. T.↗

Nanomechanical vibrational response from electrical mixing measurements

Driven nanomechanical resonators based on low-dimensional materials are routinely and efficiently detected with electrical mixing measurements. However, the measured signal is a non-trivial combination of the mechanical eigenmode displacement and an electrical contribution, which makes the extraction of the driven mechanical response challenging. Here, we report a simple yet reliable method to extract solely the driven mechanical vibrations by eliminating the contribution of pure electrical origin. This enables us to measure the spectral mechanical response as well as the driven quadratures of motion. This method is crucial for nanomechanical vibrations in the nonlinear regime, since the shape of the mechanical response depends on the physics at work. We further show how to calibrate the measured signal into units of displacement. Our method marks a key step forward in the study of nanoelectromechanical resonators based on low-dimensional materials in the nonlinear regime.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Aeroelastic Indicial Response Reduced-Order Modeling for Flexible Flight Vehicles

A reduced-order modeling method capable of providing computationally efficient predictions of the nonlinear, unsteady aerodynamics encountered by flexible flight vehicles under- going forced oscillations is presented. Models are developed using indicial response theory, which characterizes a vehicle’s dynamics through identification of time-accurate aerodynamic responses due to step changes in the vehicle-state parameters, e.g., angle-of-attack, pitch rate. A coupled computational fluid dynamics aeroelastic analysis is proposed for identifying step (indicial) responses of flexible vehicles. In this approach, aeroelastic indicial responses are simulated via prescribed rigid body motions, while fluid-structure interactions are captured at the subiterative level through coupling to a linear modal structural solver. A nonlinear extension of indicial response theory is applied through time-dependent linear interpolation of a database of locally linear aeroelastic step responses. Reduced-order models are then created using the mathematical principle of convolution applied to the interpolated aeroelastic indicial responses to predict the time-dependent aerodynamic response of a flexible vehicle to any arbitrary prescribed flight maneuver. The NASA FUN3D computational fluid dynamics solver is utilized for simulating full-order trajectories and indicial response functions. Aerodynamic predictions were generated for the X-56A aircraft undergoing a series of harmonic forced oscillations. The s are shown to provide a practical option for evaluating the unsteady aerodynamics of flexible vehicles using high-fidelity simulations.

Hiller, Brett↗

An in-flight simulation of lateral control nonlinearities

An in-flight simulation program was conducted to explore, in a generalized way, the influence of spoiler-type roll-control nonlinearities on handling qualities. The roll responses studied typically featured a dead zone or very small effectiveness for small control inputs, a very high effectiveness for mid-range deflections, and low effectiveness again for large inputs. A linear force gradient with no detectable breakout force was provided. Given otherwise good handling characteristics, it was found that moderate nonlinearities of the types tested might yield acceptable roll control, but the best level of handling qualities is obtained with linear, aileron-like control.

Ellis, D. R.↗

The nonlinear behavior of generic tail fins for small wind turbines

This paper describes analysis and measurements of the yaw response of tail fins for small wind turbines. It is based on an extension of unsteady slender body theory (USBT) to cover non-slender fins and high angles of incidence, both of which make the theory nonlinear. We provide three main additions to the substantial literature on linearized USBT for tail fins. First, USBT is extended to high angles by modeling the nonlinear vortex dynamics. Second, the restriction to slender bodies is removed by modeling the chordwise load variation. Third, we consider the effect of time-varying wind speed. Further, the extended theory is compared to wind tunnel measurements of the yaw behavior of delta, elliptical, and rectangular tail fins without a rotor and nacelle. The fins were released from initial yaw angles of -40° and -80°; the latter is of sufficient magnitude to show the importance of the nonlinear yaw dynamics. Generally good agreement was found between the theory and measurements, and the theory was shown to be more accurate than a “polar” or quasi-steady model which uses only the lift and drag of a delta planform. Of the three planforms, the rectangular one showed the lowest accuracy in terms of frequency but the damping was accurately predicted. Overall, the results demonstrate the importance of nonlinearity in the response of a yawing tail fin, particularly for the higher aspect ratio fins at large yaw angles.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Limiting critical speed response on the SSME Alternate High Pressure Fuel Turbopump (ATD HPFTP) with bearing deadband

Yammamoto (1954) described the influence of bearing deadband on the critical speed response of a rotor-bearing system. Practical application of these concepts to limit critical speed response of turbopump rotors is described. Nonlinear rotordynamic analyses are used to define the effect of bearing deadband and rotor unbalance on the Space Shuttle Main Engine Alternate High Pressure Fuel Turbopump. Analysis results are used with hot fire test data to verify the presence of a lightly damped critical speed within the operating speed range. With the proper control of rotor unbalance and bearing deadband, the response of this critical speed is reduced to acceptable levels without major design modifications or additional sources of damping.

Goggin, David G.↗

Experimental hingeless rotor characteristics at low advance ratio with thrust

An experimental investigation to determine the dynamic characteristics of a hingeless rotor operating at moderate to high lift was conducted on a small scale, 7.5-foot diameter, four-bladed hingeless rotor model in a 7 x 10-foot wind tunnel. The primary objective of this research program was the empirical determination of the rotor steady-state and frequency responses to swashplate and body excitations. Collective pitch was set from 0 to 20 degrees, with the setting at a particular advance ratio limited by the cyclic pitch available for hub moment trim. Advance ratio varied from 0.00 to 0.36 for blades with nondimensional first-flap frequencies at 1.15, 1.28 and 1.33 times the rotor rotation frequency. Several conditions were run with the rotor operating in the transition regime. Rotor response at high lift is shown to be generally nonlinear in this region. As a secondary objective an experimental investigation of the rotor response to 4/revolution swashplate excitations at advance ratios of 0.2 to 0.85 and at a nondimensional, first-flap modal frequency of 1.34 was also conducted, using the 7 x 10-foot wind tunnel. It is shown that 4/revolution swashplate inputs are a method for substantially reducing rotor-induced, shafttransmitted vibratory forces.

London, R. J.↗

Combustion Stability Evaluation of Artificial Disturbance Dynamic Response

General guidelines are provided in CPIA Publication 6551 for evaluation of the response due to an artificial disturbance, however the guideline also allows for ambiguous interpretation. Stability rating devices that produce an artificial disturbance are traditionally explosive bombs and pulse guns. This paper reviews a recently developed objective process that can be applied consistently in the reduction of artificial disturbance dynamic data. It also examines three methods of response evaluation. The first method examines the response of a specific mode of interest and requires data filtering encompassing that mode. The second method examines the response of a specific mode of interest and its nonlinear components and requires a more complex filtering scheme. The third method examines the response of the entire dynamic system and consists of examining a wide bandwidth consisting of multiple modes of interest. The evaluation process is described and the advantages and disadvantages of the evaluation methods are discussed. Signal processing is used as a tool in quantifying the assessment, clearly as an improvement from the subjective heritage approach consisting primarily of engineering judgement. Data for several engines and components have been compiled and evaluated using these methods. A summary of these combustion devices is provided and observations are discussed.

Casiano, M. J.↗

Nonlinear flexure and torsion of rotating beams, with application to helicopter rotor blades. I - Formulation. II - Response and stability results

The dynamic response and aeroelastic stability of rotating beams such as helicopter blades is investigated analytically. The Hamilton principle is used to formulate the equations of motion for extensional and inextensional beams with precone angles and variable pitch angles, taking higher-order nonlinearities into account. The derivation of the equations and their approximate solution by a Galerkin procedure are explained in detail, and numerical results of equilibrium solutions and stability analyses are presented graphically.

Crespo Da Silva, M. R. M.↗

Numerical and experimental investigation of the bending response of thin-walled composite cylinders

A numerical and experimental investigation of the bending behavior of six eight-ply graphite-epoxy circular cylinders is presented. Bending is induced by applying a known end-rotation to each end of the cylinders, analogous to a beam in bending. The cylinders have a nominal radius of 6 inches, a length-to-radius ratio of 2 and 5, and a radius-to-thickness ratio of approximately 160. A (+/- 45/0/90)S quasi-isotropic layup and two orthotropic layups, (+/- 45/0 sub 2)S and (+/- 45/90 sub 2)S, are studied. A geometrically nonlinear special-purpose analysis, based on Donnell's nonlinear shell equations, is developed to study the prebuckling responses and gain insight into the effects of non-ideal boundary conditions and initial geometric imperfections. A geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis is utilized to compare with the prebuckling solutions of the special-purpose analysis and to study the buckling and post buckling responses of both geometrically perfect and imperfect cylinders. The imperfect cylinder geometries are represented by an analytical approximation of the measured shape imperfections. Extensive experimental data are obtained from quasi-static tests of the cylinders using a test fixture specifically designed for the present investigation. A description of the test fixture is included. The experimental data are compared to predictions for both perfect and imperfect cylinder geometries. Prebuckling results are presented in the form of displacement and strain profiles. Buckling end-rotations, moments, and strains are reported, and predicted mode shapes are presented. Observed and predicted moment vs. end-rotation relations, deflection patterns, and strain profiles are illustrated for the post buckling responses. It is found that a geometrically nonlinear boundary layer behavior characterizes the prebuckling responses. The boundary layer behavior is sensitive to laminate orthotropy, cylinder geometry, initial geometric imperfections, applied end-rotation, and non-ideal boundary conditions. Buckling end-rotations, strains, and moments are influenced by laminate orthotropy and initial geometric imperfections. Measured buckling results correlate well with predictions for the geometrically imperfect specimens. The postbuckling analyses predict equilibrium paths with a number of scallop-shaped branches that correspond to unique deflection patterns. The observed postbuckling deflection patterns and measured strain profiles show striking similarities to the predictions in some cases. Ultimate failure of the cylinders is attributed to an interlaminar shear failure mode along the nodal lines of the postbuckling deflection patterns.

Fuchs, J. P.↗

Susceptibility of symmetric structures to nonlinear torsional coupling

The susceptibility to induced torsional response of symmetric building structures with nonliner resisting elements was investigated. Stability curves show the effect of the arrangement of the load resisting elements on induced torsional coupling in these nonliner but other wise symmetric structures. Universal upper and lower bound instability curves are also derived; these identify the susceptibility to torsional coupling of symmetric structures with different stiffness arrangements but which have equal mass and total lateral stiffness, and which are intended to model alternative structural strategies for lateral load resistance.

Pekau, O. A.↗