Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “behavior”

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 1,117 records · Page 62

Overshooting top behavior of three tornado-producing thunderstorms

The behavior of overshooting tops and jumping cirrus observed in three tornado-producing thunderstorms during the 1974 Learjet Cloud-Truth experiment is discussed. An investigation of temporal changes in the heights of overshooting domes (conglomerations of overshooting tops with diameters less than 1 km) reveals several distinctive features associated with tornadic events. There is a gradual decrease in dome height prior to tornado touchdown. Minimum dome activity occurred 5 min after, 5.5 min before, and at approximately the same time as the tornadic event in the storms observed. In all cases, dramatic dome growth at a rate of 17 to 23 m/sec immediately followed the occurrence of the minimum dome heights. There is evidence that tornado production is insensitive to the pre-touchdown maximum dome heights between 1 and 3 km.

Umenhofer, T. A.↗

Some observations on the oscillatory behavior of carbon monoxide oxidation

The oscillatory behavior of the oxidation of carbon monoxide was experimentally studied in an attempt to further elucidate the reaction at low pressure. The phenomenon is observed as multiple explosions and involves successive flashes of light accompanying the slow reaction in a static system, including over 450 flashes in one case. Electronically excited hydroxyl radicals (water impurity) and carbon dioxide have been identified as components of the emission. The phase difference between the two was seen to be negligible. The nature of the temperature and pressure changes during a cycle indicates that the oscillation is purely kinetic rather than thermokinetic. A procedure is presented whereby sustained oscillations can be obtained for particular regions in the pressure-temperature plane, vessel surface pretreatments, and H2O-containing reactants.

Mccaffrey, B. J.↗

The long-term intensity behavior of Centaurus X-3

In three years of observation, the X-ray source Cen X-3 appears to alternate between 'high states', with an intensity of 150 counts/s (2-6 keV) or greater, and 'low states', where the source is barely detectable. The time scale of this behavior is of the order of months, and no apparent periodicity has been observed. Analysis of two transitions between these states is reported. During two weeks in July 1972, the source increased from about 20 counts/s to 150 counts/s. The detailed nature of this turn-on is interpreted in terms of a model in which the supergiant's stellar wind decreases in density. A second transition, a turnoff in February 1973, is similarly analyzed and found to be consistent with a simple decrease in accretion rate. The presence of absorption dips during transitions at orbital phases 0.4-0.5 as well as at phase 0.75 is discussed. The data are consistent with a stellar-wind accretion model and with different kinds of extended lows caused by increased wind density masking the X-ray emission or by decreased wind density lowering the accretion rate.

Schreier, E. J.↗

A model study of diurnal behavior of the ionosphere and the protonosphere coupling

A new method to study dynamic behavior of the ionosphere-protonosphere coupling within the plasmasphere is developed and used to calculate ion distributions above 500 km using observed electron densities at 500 km. The method is based on the relation between the total magnetic flux tube content of H(+) above some reference height (e.g., 3000 km) and the H(+) flux at that height, which is uniquely determined by the coupled momentum and continuity equations for the quasi-steady state. The O(+) profile is perturbed from diffusive equilibrium only by ion drag with H(+). The time dependency is taken into account by applying self-consistent boundary conditions which are obtained from the solution of the time-dependent equation for the tube content of H(+). Calculations are carried out for two models. The first model deals with the ion dynamics in a tube of force which rotates with the earth. In the second model, effects of the cross-L plasma drifts are considered. Both models produce diurnal variations of H(+) and O(+) densities near 1000 km similar to observational results.

Marubashi, K.↗

Mathematical modelling of undrained clay behavior

The proposed general analytical model describes the anisotropic, elastoplastic, path-dependent, stress-strain properties of inviscid saturated clays under undrained conditions. Model parameters are determined by using results from strain-controlled simple shear tests on a saturated clay. The model's accuracy is evaluated by applying it to predict the results of other tests on the same clay, including monotonic and cyclic loading. The model explains the very anisotropic shear strength behavior observed for weak marine clays.

Prevost, J. H.↗

Notched and Unnotched Fatigue Behavior of Angle-Ply Graphite/Epoxy Composites

The axial fatigue behavior of both notched and unnotched graphite/epoxy composites was studied. In unnotched studies, conducted on a 0/+ or - 30 3S AS/3501 laminate, S-N curves were determined for various stress ratios R using simply supported test specimens. Apparent fatigue limits in tension-tension (T-T) and compression-compression (C-C) cycling occurred at about 60% of the respective static strengths. The overall results were expressed in the form of a constant life diagram showing the relationship between mean stress and stress amplitude. The diagram illustrates a skew-symmetry in fatigue life caused by the relatively low compressive strength of the unrestrained test specimens used. In effect, a maximum in fatigue properties occurs at a positive value of mean stress. Results are of significance in situations where structural members are buckling or crippling critical in design.

Ramani, S. V.↗

Constitutive acoustic-emission elastic-stress behavior of magnesium alloy

Repeated laoding and unloading of a magnesium alloy below the macroscopic yield stress result in continuous acoustic emissions which are generally repeatable for a given specimen and which are reproducible between different specimens having the same load history. An acoustic emission Bauschinger strain model is proposed to describe the unloading emission behavior. For the limited range of stress examined, loading and unloading stress delays of the order of 50 MN/sq m are observed, and they appear to be dependent upon the direction of loading, the stress rate, and the stress history. The stress delay is hypothesized to be the manifestation of an effective friction stress. The existence of acoustic emission elastic stress constitutive relations is concluded, which provides support for a previously proposed concept for the monitoring of elastic stresses by acoustic emission.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗

Influence of temper condition on the nonlinear stress-strain behavior of boron-aluminum

The influence of temper condition on the tensile and compressive stress-strain behavior for six boron-aluminum laminates was investigated. In addition to monotonic tension and compression tests, tension-tension, compression-compression, and tension--compression tests were conducted to study the effects of cyclic loading. Tensile strength results are a function of the laminate configuration; unidirectional laminates were affected considerably more than other laminates with some strength values increasing and others decreasing.

Kennedy, J. M.↗

Effects of background gravity stimuli on gravity-controlled behavior

Physiological and developmental effects of altered gravity were researched. The stimulus properties of gravity have been found to possess reinforcing and aversive properties. Experimental approaches taken, used animals placed into fields of artificial gravity, in the form of parabolic or spiral centrifuges. Gravity preferences were noted and it was concluded that the psychophysics of gravity and background factors which support these behaviors should be further explored.

Mccoy, D. F.↗

Friction and deformation behavior of single-crystal silicon carbide

Friction and deformation studies were conducted with single-crystal silicon carbide in sliding contact with diamond. When the radius of curvature of the spherical diamond rider was large (0.3), deformation of silicon carbide was primarily elastic. Under these conditions the friction coefficient was low and did not show a dependence on the silicon carbide orientation. Further, there was no detectable cracking of the silicon carbide surfaces. When smaller radii of curvature of the spherical diamond riders (0.15 and 0.02 mm) or a conical diamond rider was used, plastic grooving occured and the silicon carbide exhibited anisotropic friction and deformation behavior. Under these conditions the friction coefficient depended on load. Anisotropic friction and deformation of the basal plane of silicon carbide was controlled by the slip system. 10101120and cleavage of1010.

Miyoshi, K.↗

The behavior of the Mg II doublet features near 2800 A observed in F, A, and B supergiants

The Mg II doublet features near 2800 A were recently observed in F-, A-, and B-type supergiants with a balloon-borne ultraviolet stellar spectrometer. The stars observed are Alpha UMi (F8 Ib), Alpha Per (F5 Ib), Eta Leo (A0 Ib), and Rho Leo (B1 Ib). The Mg II doublet features in Alpha UMi and Alpha Per show emission superposed on photospheric absorption. In the spectrum of Eta Leo, the Mg II lines are in absorption and show shortward-shifted components attributable to mass loss. In the spectrum of Rho Leo, the Mg II lines are primarily a composite of the photospheric and interstellar absorption features. The general behavior of the Mg II lines for supergiants of spectral types M through B are also discussed.

Kondo, Y.↗

Asymptotic behavior of vector recurrences with applications

An investigation is conducted of the behavior of a vector recurrence relation under very weak assumptions. The obtained results are used in an analysis of the iterations for nonlinear equations and a study concerning the composition of such iterations. The results can be employed in studies of one-point iterations involving the use of memory elements. Iterations for solving nonlinear equations on parallel computers can be investigated.

Feldstein, A.↗

On the singular behavior of linear acoustic theory in near-sonic duct flows

The propagation of sound in a converging-diverging duct containing a quasi-one-dimensional steady flow with a high subsonic throat Mach number is studied. The behavior of linearized acoustic theory at the throat of the duct is shown to be singular, and the explicit form of the singularity is determined for two special types of area variation. Numerically computed results showing the development of the singularity are presented. The singularity implies that linearized acoustic theory is invalid for sound propagating through a throat carrying a near-sonic flow.

Myers, M. K.↗

The correlation of laboratory test results with behavior in real fires

Laboratory tests have been condemned as misleading because they do not always predict behavior in real fires. General condemnation seems unjustified in the light of available data. Many laboratory tests are employed with the purpose of eliminating fire hazard by preventing ignition, and fires that did not happen provide no data for correlation. Correlations are sometimes attempted between a laboratory test which emphasizes one fire response characteristic and a fire situation in which the hazard relates to a different fire response characteristic. Correlations may fail in particular cases, but in general, something less likely to burn or emit undesirable products in a laboratory test is less likely to be a hazard in a real fire.

Hilado, C. J.↗

Aerodynamic behavior of the Viking entry vehicle - Ground test and flight results

An extensive series of tests of the Viking entry vehicle flying in pure CO2 was conducted in a ballistic range at Ames Research Center. The primary purpose of these tests was to calibrate the aerodynamic lift and drag characteristics in order to allow the density, pressure, and temperature profiles of the Martian atmosphere to be determined from onboard instrumentation carried on Viking. Both the Viking 1 and Viking 2 entry vehicles performed flawlessly during entry and descent, and the atmosphere structure was deduced to an altitude of about 120 km. A description is given of the ballistic range tests and of the aerodynamic behavior of the full scale entry vehicles during entry into the Martian atmosphere. Some comparisons between ground test and flight results are shown.

Kirk, D. B.↗

Behavioral analyses of killifish exposed to weightlessness in the Apollo-Soyuz test project

Two groups of killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, which were flown aboard Apollo-Soyuz, were subjected to postflight behavioral testing. The first group examined consisted of a graded series of embryos representing key developmental stages at orbital insertion (32-h, 66-h, and 128-h stages; pre-liftoff fertilization times). The tests revealed that the young adults from the flight 32-h stage had a significantly decreased positive geotaxis and increased negative phototaxis when compared with ground controls. These findings suggested a greater sensitization of the least-developed flight stage to post-hatching environmental influences. The second group consisted of 21-d old juveniles which were subjected to light orientation tests soon after recovery. No significant differences were detected.

Hoffman, R. B.↗

Static behavior and the effects of thermal cycling in hybrid laminates

Static stiffness, strength and ultimate strain after thermal cycling were investigated for graphite/Kevlar 49/epoxy and graphite/S-glass/epoxy angle-ply laminates. Tensile stress-strain curves to failure and uniaxial tensile properties were determined, and theoretical predictions of modulus, Poisson's ratio and ultimate strain, based on linear lamination theory, constituent ply properties and measured strength, were made. No significant influence on tensile stress properties due to stacking sequence variations was observed. In general, specimens containing two 0-degree Kevlar or S-glass plies were found to behave linearly to failure, while specimens containing 4 0-degree Kevlar or S-glass plies showed some nonlinear behavior.

Liber, T. M.↗

Behavior of queues at signalized intersections in heavy traffic

This paper derives the asymptotic behavior of traffic queues at signalized intersections when the excess of departure capacity over arrivals approaches zero from above. The most interesting result is that the distribution of queue length approaches a negative exponential, with fewer restrictive assumptions than hitherto known. The main improvement results from more precise use of a combinatorial lemma of Spitzer, giving the maximum of the partial sums of a sequence of independent identically distributed random variables, plus some specific constructive probability calculations, many of them involving the Fourier transform. New results are presented on the probability that the queue be below a fixed bound and/or on the probability that the queue be empty. Applications to on-line estimators for real-time traffic control are suggested.

Posner, E. C.↗