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At least 1,225 records · Page 68

Thermal barrier coating life prediction model development

A methodology is established to predict thermal barrier coating life in a environment similar to that experienced by gas turbine airfoils. Experiments were conducted to determine failure modes of the thermal barrier coating. Analytical studies were employed to derive a life prediction model. A review of experimental and flight service components as well as laboratory post evaluations indicates that the predominant mode of TBC failure involves thermomechanical spallation of the ceramic coating layer. This ceramic spallation involves the formation of a dominant crack in the ceramic coating parallel to and closely adjacent to the topologically complex metal ceramic interface. This mechanical failure mode clearly is influenced by thermal exposure effects as shown in experiments conducted to study thermal pre-exposure and thermal cycle-rate effects. The preliminary life prediction model developed focuses on the two major damage modes identified in the critical experiments tasks. The first of these involves a mechanical driving force, resulting from cyclic strains and stresses caused by thermally induced and externally imposed mechanical loads. The second is an environmental driving force based on experimental results, and is believed to be related to bond coat oxidation. It is also believed that the growth of this oxide scale influences the intensity of the mechanical driving force.

Demasi, J. T.↗

The role of space borne imaging radars in environmental monitoring: Some shuttle imaging radar results in Asia

The synoptic view afforded by orbiting Earth sensors can be extremely valuable for resource evaluation, environmental monitoring and development planning. For many regions of the world, however, cloud cover has prevented the acquisition of remotely sensed data during the most environmentally stressful periods of the year. How synthetic aperture imaging radar can be used to provide valuable data about the condition of the Earth's surface during periods of bad weather is discussed. Examples are given of applications using data from the Shuttle Imaging Radars (SIR) A and B for agricultural land use and crop condition assessment, monsoon flood boundary and flood damage assessment, water resource monitoring and terrain modeling, coastal forest mapping and vegetation penetration, and coastal development monitoring. Recent SIR-B results in Bangladesh are emphasized, radar system basics are reviewed and future SAR systems are discussed.

Imhoff, Marc L.↗

The role of space borne imaging radars in environmental monitoring: Some shuttle imaging radar results in Asia

The synoptic view afforded by orbiting Earth sensors can be extremely valuable for resource evaluation, environmental monitoring and development planning. For many regions of the world, however, cloud cover has prevented the acquisition of remotely sensed data during the most environmentally stressful periods of the year. This paper discusses how synthetic aperture imaging radar can be used to provide valuable data about the condition of the Earth's surface during periods of bad weather. Examples are given of applications using data from the Shuttle Imaging Radars (SIR) A and B for agriculture land use and crop condition assessment, monsoon flood boundary and flood damage assessment, water resource monitoring and terrain modeling, coastal forest mapping and vegetation penetration, and coastal development monitoring. Recent SIR-B results in Bangladesh are emphasized, radar system basics are reviewed and future SAR systems discussed.

Imhoff, M.↗

Thermal barrier coating life-prediction model development

The primary objective of this program was to develop an operative thermal barrier coating (TBC) design model for life prediction. The objective was successfully accomplished with the development, calibration, and demonstration of a mechanistic thermochemical model which rapidly predicts TBC life as a function of engine, mission, and materials system parameters. This thermochemical design model accounts for the three operative TBC damage modes (bond coating oxidation, zirconia toughness reduction, and molten salt film damage), which all contribute to spalling of the insulating zirconia layer.

Strangman, T. E.↗

An AI-based approach to structural damage identification by modal analysis

Flexible-structure damage is presently addressed by a combined model- and parameter-identification approach which employs the AI methodologies of classification, heuristic search, and object-oriented model knowledge representation. The conditions for model-space search convergence to the best model are discussed in terms of search-tree organization and initial model parameter error. In the illustrative example of a truss structure presented, the use of both model and parameter identification is shown to lead to smaller parameter corrections than would be required by parameter identification alone.

Glass, B. J.↗

Environment enhanced fatigue of advanced aluminum alloys and metal matrix composites

The environmental fatigue crack propagation behavior of advanced Al-Li-Cu based alloys and metal matrix composites is being characterized. Aqueous NaCl and water vapor, which produce atomic hydrogen by reactions on clean crack surfaces, are emphasized. The effects of environment sensitive crack closure, stress ratio, and precipitate microstructure are assessed. Mechanistic models are sought for intrinsic crack tip damage processes to enable predictions of cracking behavior outside of the data, metallurgical improvements in material cracking resistance, and insight on hydrogen compatibility.

Slavik, Donald C.↗

Overview of mechanics of materials branch activities in the computational structures area

Base programs and system programs are discussed. The base programs include fundamental research of composites and metals for airframes leading to characterization of advanced materials, models of behavior, and methods for predicting damage tolerance. Results from the base programs support the systems programs, which change as NASA's missions change. The National Aerospace Plane (NASP), Advanced Composites Technology (ACT), Airframe Structural Integrity Program (Aging Aircraft), and High Speed Research (HSR) programs are currently being supported. Airframe durability is one of the key issues in each of these system programs. The base program has four major thrusts, which will be reviewed subsequently. Additionally, several technical highlights will be reviewed for each thrust.

Poe, C. C., Jr.↗

Modeling of the flexural behavior of ceramic-matrix composites

This paper examines the effects of matrix cracking and fiber breakage on the flexural behavior of ceramic composite beams. A model has been proposed to represent the damage evolution of the beam, of which the matrix fracture strain is smaller than that of the fibers. Close form solutions of the critical loads for the initiation of matrix cracking and fiber breakage in the tension side of the beam have been found. The effects of thermal residual stresses and fiber/matrix debonding have been taken into account. The initial deviation of the load-deflection curve from linearity is due to matrix cracking, while fiber breakages are responsible for the drop in the load carrying capacity of the beam. The proportional limit as well as the nonlinear behavior of the beam deflection have been identified. The growth of the damaged zone has also been predicted. A three-point bending case is given as a numerical example.

Kuo, Wen-Shyong↗

Radiation Physics for Space and High Altitude Air Travel

Galactic cosmic rays (GCR) are of extra-solar origin consisting of high-energy hydrogen, helium, and heavy ions. The GCR are modified by physical processes as they traverse through the solar system, spacecraft shielding, atmospheres, and tissues producing copious amounts of secondary radiation including fragmentation products, neutrons, mesons, and muons. We discuss physical models and measurements relevant for estimating biological risks in space and high-altitude air travel. Ambient and internal spacecraft computational models for the International Space Station and a Mars mission are discussed. Risk assessment is traditionally based on linear addition of components. We discuss alternative models that include stochastic treatments of columnar damage by heavy ion tracks and multi-cellular damage following nuclear fragmentation in tissue.

Cucinotta, F. A.↗

Electrical Resistance Technique to Monitor SiC Composite Detection

Ceramic matrix composites are suitable for high temperature structural applications such as turbine airfoils and hypersonic thermal protection systems. The employment of these materials in such applications is limited by the ability to process components reliable and to accurately monitor and predict damage evolution that leads to failure under stressed-oxidation conditions. Current nondestructive methods such as ultrasound, x-ray, and thermal imaging are limited in their ability to quantify small scale, transverse, in-plane, matrix cracks developed over long-time creep and fatigue conditions. Electrical resistance of SiC/SiC composites is one technique that shows special promise towards this end. Since both the matrix and the fibers are conductive, changes in matrix or fiber properties should relate to changes in electrical conductivity along the length of a specimen or part. The effect of matrix cracking on electrical resistivity for several composite systems will be presented and some initial measurements performed at elevated temperatures under stress-rupture conditions. The implications towards electrical resistance as a technique applied to composite processing, damage detection (health monitoring), and life-modeling will be discussed.

Smith, Craig↗

Advancing Asteroid Threat Assessment

Asteroid Threat Assessment for Planetary Defense [Asteroid Threat Assessment Project (TAP) at NASA Ames Research Center]. Objectives: Develop models and data to characterize the potential damage and risks due to asteroid strikes on Earth. Provide results that can help guide decisions and planning: Asteroid surveys; Mitigation systems; Disaster response.

Wheeler, Lorien↗

Structural Analysis of Wind Tunnel Blades for the National Transonic Facility

NASA has a significant maintenance challenge with the agency’s aging wind tunnel infrastructure. Wind tunnel blades, such as the ones in the National Transonic Facility at NASA Langley Research Center, have been subjected to damage from impacts and fatigue. Accurate analytical models of these blades are necessary to either recertify replacement blades to be built or for redesign of these blades. In this paper a process for generating structural finite element models of these wind tunnel blades is presented. The model developed in this paper was analyzed under loading conditions from tests conducted on the original blades and the results are compared with legacy strain gage data.

Brian H Mason↗

Is the Global MHD Modeling of the Magnetosphere Adequate for GIC Prediction: the May 27–28, 2017 Storm

Practical steps taken by the international community to reduce the damage to technological systems from space weather include the development of numerical models capable of real-time predictions of electromagnetic disturbances at the Earth’s surface. Here we examine the feasibility of a version of the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF) global MHD simulation code similar to that used by the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center to predict the level of geomagnetic field variability, and consequently geomagnetically induced currents (GICs). We consider the contribution of geomagnetic disturbances to the bursts of GIC in the electric power line of the Kola Peninsula during the May 27–28, 2017 storm and compare the observations with results of the global MHD model. During the maximal disturbance magnetic field variations at East Scandinavian stations become more irregular, as intense Pi3 pulsations are superposed on the magnetic bay. These pulsations are not quasi-sinusoidal waves like typical Pc5 pulsations, but they are rather a quasi-periodic sequence of magnetic impulses with time scales ~5–15 min. During this period with elevated Pi3 activity very high values of GIC were recorded (variations >100 A) in the electric power transmission line. The SWMF modeling reasonably well reproduces the global magnetospheric parameters, such as SYM-H index or cross-polar potential. However, the magnetic field variability dB/dt in the East Scandinavia predicted by the modeling has turned out to be more than order of magnitude less than that observed. Thus, the version of SWMF with the grid used by NOAA SWPC still cannot adequately predict for the May 27–28 event the fine structure of the storm/substorm—Pi3 geomagnetic disturbances, and consequently the magnitude of the GIC that they drive.

geomagnetically induced currents↗

Forest structural complexity and ignition pattern influence simulated prescribed fire effects

Background: Forest structural characteristics, the burning environment, and the choice of ignition pattern each influence prescribed fire behaviors and resulting fire effects; however, few studies examine the influences and interactions of these factors. Understanding how interactions among these drivers can influence prescribed fire behavior and effects is crucial for executing prescribed fires that can safely and effectively meet management objectives. To analyze the interactions between the fuels complex and ignition patterns, we used FIRETEC, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics fire behavior model, to simulate fire behavior and effects across a range of horizontal and vertical forest structural complexities. For each forest structure, we then simulated three different prescribed fires each with a unique ignition pattern: strip-head, dot, and alternating dot. Results: Forest structural complexity and ignition pattern affected the proportions of simulated crown scorch, consumption, and damage for prescribed fires in a dry, fire-prone ecosystem. Prescribed fires in forests with complex canopy structures resulted in increased crown consumption, scorch, and damage compared to less spatially complex forests. The choice of using a strip-head ignition pattern over either a dot or alternating-dot pattern increased the degree of crown foliage scorched and damaged, though did not affect the proportion of crown consumed. We found no evidence of an interaction between forest structural complexity and ignition pattern on canopy fuel consumption, scorch, or damage. Conclusions: We found that forest structure and ignition pattern, two powerful drivers of fire behavior that forest managers can readily account for or even manipulate, can be leveraged to influence fire behavior and the resultant fire effects of prescribed fire. These simulation findings have critical implications for how managers can plan and perform forest thinning and prescribed burn treatments to meet risk management or ecological objectives.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Cellular Response to Proton Irradiation: A Simulation Study with TOPAS-nBio

The cellular response to ionizing radiation continues to be of significant research interest in cancer radiotherapy, and DNA is recognized as the critical target for most of the biologic effects of radiation. Incident particles can cause initial DNA damages through physical and chemical interactions within a short time scale. Initial DNA damages can undergo repair via different pathways available at different stages of the cell cycle. The misrepair of DNA damage results in genomic rearrangement and causes mutations and chromosome aberrations, which are drivers of cell death. This work presents an integrated study of simulating cell response after proton irradiation with energies of 0.5–500 MeV (LET of 60–0.2 keV/µm). A model of a whole nucleus with fractal DNA geometry was implemented in TOPAS-nBio for initial DNA damage simulations. The default physics and chemistry models in TOPAS-nBio were used to describe interactions of primary particles, secondary particles, and radiolysis products within the nucleus. The initial DNA double-strand break (DSB) yield was found to increase from 6.5 DSB/Gy/Gbp at low-linear energy transfer (LET) of 0.2 keV/µm to 21.2 DSB/Gy/Gbp at high LET of 60 keV/µm. A mechanistic repair model was applied to predict the characteristics of DNA damage repair and dose response of chromosome aberrations. It was found that more than 95% of the DSBs are repaired within the first 24 h and the misrepaired DSB fraction increases rapidly with LET and reaches 15.8% at 60 keV/µm with an estimated chromosome aberration detection threshold of 3 Mbp. The dicentric and acentric fragment yields and the dose response of micronuclei formation after proton irradiation were calculated and compared with experimental results.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Simulating Impacts of Extreme Events on Grids with High Penetrations of Wind Power Resources

As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, the demand for connecting grid operation and infrastructure planning with extreme event models will increase as well. We present a methodology for creating damage contingencies and scenarios for electric transmission grids during a hurricane strike. Using WIND Toolkit meteorological data in conjunction with fragility curves for various electric grid elements, we generate stochastic damage scenarios that can be used for short- and long-term planning problems, e.g., emergency asset management. Included is an example case study: Hurricane Dolly damaging a synthetic 2000-bus test system during its landing in Southern Texas. We perform statistical analysis of damages and discuss topological effects on the example synthetic grid. Also, we include a cursory evaluation of impacts using simplified operational models. Finally, we discuss how our method can be extended to use even higher-fidelity meteorological data sets and suggest directions for future work.

contingencies↗

Borehole breakout modeling in arkose and granite rocks

The existence of a deep borehole in the Earth’s crust disturbs the local stresses and creates a stress concentration that may result in breakout and damage to the borehole. Maintaining wellbore integrity mitigates environmental impacts such as groundwater contamination, gas leakage to the atmosphere, and fluid spills and seepage at the surface. In this paper, the stability of deep boreholes (5 km) is examined by laboratory experiments and numerical models in the context of nuclear waste disposal in Israel. Two rock types in southern Israel are considered: the crystalline basement (granite) and the Zenifim Formation (arkose). A series of room-temperature triaxial rock deformation experiments were conducted at different confining pressures. This mechanical characterization was then used to parameterize the elastic properties and damage behavior of the rocks. This facilitated modeling the stability of the deep boreholes by two different formulations of damage rheology: a dynamic-oriented formulation used to model deformation immediately after the creation of the open hole and a quasi-static formulation used to model longer stress corrosion regime. The calibrated modeling results indicate greater stability with Zenifim arkose than the crystalline granite for deep borehole conditions despite the granite having a greater triaxial compressive strength. Dissipation associated with dilation and porous compaction in the arkose during deformation plays a significant stabilizing role in the borehole compared to crystalline rocks. These results suggest that common strength-based borehole stability assessment may lead to inaccurate predictions. Three-dimensional modeling of bottom-hole stress conditions and the effects of transient borehole geometry show conventional two-dimensional analysis may not be conservative when predicting borehole damage.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗