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At least 127 records · Page 7

Analyses of flight model spacecraft performance during thermal-vacuum tests

Malfunction data from the thermal-vacuum tests of 39 flight-model spacecraft were analyzed. The results are interpreted in terms of the test variables, and in terms of the spacecraft performance. The malfunction data are correlated with the test time as a single variable, and also with the composite variable of time plus temperature. The improvement in spacecraft performance is examined by means of malfunction rates, malfunctions per spacecraft, and the probability of no failure related to test time. The minimum thermal-vacuum test profile required for Goddard Space Flight Center spacecraft is verified, and the probability of a defect remaining undetected is estimated.

Timmins, A. R.↗

Analyses of flight model spacecraft performance during thermal-vacuum tests

Malfunction data from the thermal-vacuum tests of 39 flight-model spacecraft have been analyzed. The results are interpreted in terms of the test variables and the spacecraft performance. The malfunction data are correlated with the test time as a single variable, and also with the composite variable of time plus temperature. The improvement in spacecraft performance is examined by means of malfunction rates, malfunctions per spacecraft, and the probability of no failure related to test time. The minimum thermal-vacuum test profile required for Goddard Space Flight Center spacecraft is verified, and the probability of a defect remaining undetected is estimated.

Timmins, A. R.↗

Space shuttle maneuvering engine reusable thrust chamber program. Task 11: Stability analyses and acoustic model testing data dump

The combustion stability characteristics of engines applicable to the Space Shuttle Orbit Maneuvering System and the adequacy of acoustic cavities as a means of assuring stability in these engines were investigated. The study comprised full-scale stability rating tests, bench-scale acoustic model tests and analysis. Two series of stability rating tests were made. Acoustic model tests were made to determine the resonance characteristics and effects of acoustic cavities. Analytical studies were done to aid design of the cavity configurations to be tested and, also, to aid evaluation of the effectiveness of acoustic cavities from available test results.

Oberg, C. L.↗

Applications of elastic-viscoplastic constitutive models in dynamic analyses of crack run-arrest events

Applications of nonlinear techniques to the first series of six HSST wide-plate crack-arrest tests that were performed are described. The experiments include crack initiations at low temperatures and relatively long (20 cm) cleavage propagation phases which are terminated by arrest in high temperature regions. Crack arrest are then followed by ductile tearing events. Consequently, the crack front regions are exposed to wide ranges of strain rates and temperatures.

Bass, B. R.↗

Modeling Optics For Analyses Of Dynamics And Controls

Method of computing optical sensitivities of single- and multiple-element optical trains developed for analyses of dynamics of optoelectro-mechanical systems, including controlled optics (lenses, mirrors, prisms, and/or gratings mounted on electromechanical actuators) supported by flexible structure. Based on techniques of ray tracing and on matrix representation of each surface of each optical element.

Breckenridge, William C.↗

Analysis of Residual Acceleration Effects on Transport and Segregation During Directional Solidification of Tin-Bismuth in the MEPHISTO Furnace Facility

The object of this work, started in March of 1995, is to approach the problem of determining the transport conditions (and effects of residual acceleration) during the plane-front directional solidification of a tin-bismuth alloy under low gravity conditions. The work involves using a combination of 2- and 3-D numerical models, scaling analyses, 1-D models and the results of ground-based and low-gravity experiments. The experiments conducted in the MEPHISTO furnace facility during the USMP-3 spaceflight which took place earlier this year (22 Feb. - 6 Mar. 1996). This experiment represents an unprecedented opportunity to make a quantitative correlation between residual accelerations and the response of an actual experimental solidification system

Alexander, J. Iwan D.↗

Analysis of Tile-Reinforced Composite Armor: Advanced Modeling and Strength Analyses - Part 1

The results of an analytical and experimental study of the structural response and strength of tile-reinforced components of the Composite Armored Vehicle are presented. The analyses are based on specialized finite element techniques that properly account for the effects of the interaction between the armor tiles, the surrounding elastomers, and the glass-epoxy sublaminates. To validate the analytical predictions, tests were conducted with panels subjected to three-point bending loads. The sequence of progressive failure events for the laminates is described. This paper describes the results of Part 1 of a study of the response and strength of tile-reinforced composite armor.

Davila, C. G.↗

Transient Finite Element Analyses Developed to Model Fan Containment Impact Events

Research is underway to establish an increased level of confidence in existing numerical techniques for predicting transient behavior when the fan of a jet engine is released and impacts the fan containment system. To evaluate the predictive accuracy that can currently be obtained, researchers at the NASA Lewis Research Center used the DYNA 3D computer code to simulate large-scale subcomponent impact tests that were conducted at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) Impact Physics Lab. In these tests, 20- by 40-in. flat metal panels, contoured to the shape of a typical fan case, were impacted by the root section of a fan blade. The panels were oriented at an angle to the path of the projectile that would simulate the conditions in an actual blade-out event. The metal panels were modeled in DYNA 3D using a kinematic hardening model with the strain rate dependence of the yield stress governed by the Cowper-Simons rule. Failure was governed by the effective plastic strain criterion. The model of the fan blade and case just after impact is shown. By varying the maximum effective plastic strain, we obtained good qualitative agreement between the model and the experiments. Both the velocity required to penetrate the case and the deflection during impact compared well. This indicates that the failure criterion and constitutive model may be appropriate, but for DYNA 3D to be useful as a predictive tool, methods to determine accurate model parameters must be established. Simple methods for measuring model parameters are currently being developed. In addition, alternative constitutive models and failure criteria are being investigated.

Pereira, J. Michael↗

Recalibration of the Shear Stress Transport Model to Improve Calculation of Shock Separated Flows

The Menter Shear Stress Transport (SST) k . turbulence model is one of the most widely used two-equation Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence models for aerodynamic analyses. The model extends Menter s baseline (BSL) model to include a limiter that prevents the calculated turbulent shear stress from exceeding a prescribed fraction of the turbulent kinetic energy via a proportionality constant, a1, set to 0.31. Compared to other turbulence models, the SST model yields superior predictions of mild adverse pressure gradient flows including those with small separations. In shock - boundary layer interaction regions, the SST model produces separations that are too large while the BSL model is on the other extreme, predicting separations that are too small. In this paper, changing a1 to a value near 0.355 is shown to significantly improve predictions of shock separated flows. Several cases are examined computationally and experimental data is also considered to justify raising the value of a1 used for shock separated flows.

Georgiadis, Nicholas J.↗

Probabilistic Sensitivity Analyses Incorporating Surrogate Models for the Structural Response of a Representative Inflatable Space Structure

This study concentrates on results from probabilistic analysis and numerical simulation tools to identify parameter sensitivities and assess surrogate model suitability for a novel inflatable airlock concept, specifically the Non-Axisymmetric Inflatable Pressure Structure (NAIPS) under NASA's Minimalistic Advanced Softgoods Hatch (MASH) Program. The current studies extended the demonstration of probabilistic analysis tools to identify parameter sensitivities by: incorporating nonlinear material load-strain property curves and orthotropic representation of the fabric; and exploring the use of surrogate models to facilitate rapid evaluations as new information becomes available, as well as enable optimizations. The airlock model has been simplified to focus on the end dome section. Brief overviews of the finite element model and associated surrogate models are provided along with the probabilistic sensitivity analysis approaches. Responses of interest include the sensitivities of various loads in the structural elements of the NAIPS to material properties, cord lengths, inflation pressure and friction between softgoods components. The use of surrogate models was explored to facilitate rapid sensitivity evaluations as parameter ranges change. The completion of the sensitivity studies improved understanding of the dependence of load responses to several uncertain parameters and confidence in the ability to use surrogate models to represent the finite element simulations.

Lyle, Karen H.↗

A Shell/3D Modeling Technique for the Analyses of Delaminated Composite Laminates

A shell/3D modeling technique was developed for which a local three-dimensional solid finite element model is used only in the immediate vicinity of the delamination front. The goal was to combine the accuracy of the full three-dimensional solution with the computational efficiency of a plate or shell finite element model. Multi-point constraints provided a kinematically compatible interface between the local three-dimensional model and the global structural model which has been meshed with plate or shell finite elements. Double Cantilever Beam (DCB), End Notched Flexure (ENF), and Single Leg Bending (SLB) specimens were modeled using the shell/3D technique to study the feasibility for pure mode I (DCB), mode II (ENF) and mixed mode I/II (SLB) cases. Mixed mode strain energy release rate distributions were computed across the width of the specimens using the virtual crack closure technique. Specimens with a unidirectional layup and with a multidirectional layup where the delamination is located between two non-zero degree plies were simulated. For a local three-dimensional model, extending to a minimum of about three specimen thicknesses on either side of the delamination front, the results were in good agreement with mixed mode strain energy release rates obtained from computations where the entire specimen had been modeled with solid elements. For large built-up composite structures modeled with plate elements, the shell/3D modeling technique offers a great potential for reducing the model size, since only a relatively small section in the vicinity of the delamination front needs to be modeled with solid elements.

Krueger, Ronald↗

Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analyses of Duct Propagation Models

This paper presents results of uncertainty and sensitivity analyses conducted to assess the relative merits of three duct propagation codes. Results from this study are intended to support identification of a "working envelope" within which to use the various approaches underlying these propagation codes. This investigation considers a segmented liner configuration that models the NASA Langley Grazing Incidence Tube, for which a large set of measured data was available. For the uncertainty analysis, the selected input parameters (source sound pressure level, average Mach number, liner impedance, exit impedance, static pressure and static temperature) are randomly varied over a range of values. Uncertainty limits (95% confidence levels) are computed for the predicted values from each code, and are compared with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals in the measured data. Generally, the mean values of the predicted attenuation are observed to track the mean values of the measured attenuation quite well and predicted confidence intervals tend to be larger in the presence of mean flow. A two-level, six factor sensitivity study is also conducted in which the six inputs are varied one at a time to assess their effect on the predicted attenuation. As expected, the results demonstrate the liner resistance and reactance to be the most important input parameters. They also indicate the exit impedance is a significant contributor to uncertainty in the predicted attenuation.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

A componential model of human interaction with graphs: 1. Linear regression modeling

Task analyses served as the basis for developing the Mixed Arithmetic-Perceptual (MA-P) model, which proposes (1) that people interacting with common graphs to answer common questions apply a set of component processes-searching for indicators, encoding the value of indicators, performing arithmetic operations on the values, making spatial comparisons among indicators, and repsonding; and (2) that the type of graph and user's task determine the combination and order of the components applied (i.e., the processing steps). Two experiments investigated the prediction that response time will be linearly related to the number of processing steps according to the MA-P model. Subjects used line graphs, scatter plots, and stacked bar graphs to answer comparison questions and questions requiring arithmetic calculations. A one-parameter version of the model (with equal weights for all components) and a two-parameter version (with different weights for arithmetic and nonarithmetic processes) accounted for 76%-85% of individual subjects' variance in response time and 61%-68% of the variance taken across all subjects. The discussion addresses possible modifications in the MA-P model, alternative models, and design implications from the MA-P model.

Gillan, Douglas J.↗

Two-Dimensional Flow Control Analysis on the Hump Model

Computational analyses have been conducted on the Wall-mounted Glauert-Goldschmied type body ("hump" model) with the Full Unstructured Navier-Stokes 2-D (FUN2D) flow solver developed at NASA LaRC. This investigation uses the time-accurate Reynolds-averaged Navier- Stokes (RANS) approach to predict aerodynamic performance of the active flow control experimental database for the hump model. The workshop is designed to assess the current capabilities of different classes of turbulent flow solution methodologies, such as RANS, to predict flow fields induced by synthetic jets and separation control geometries. The hump model being studied is geometrically similar to that previously tested both experimentally and computationally at NASA LaRC [ref. 1 and 2, respectively].

Viken, Sally A.↗

Optimized Non-Obstructive Particle Damping (NOPD) Treatment for Composite Honeycomb Structures

Non-Obstructive Particle Damping (NOPD) technology is a passive vibration damping approach whereby metallic or non-metallic particles in spherical or irregular shapes, of heavy or light consistency, and even liquid particles are placed inside cavities or attached to structures by an appropriate means at strategic locations, to absorb vibration energy. The objective of the work described herein is the development of a design optimization procedure and discussion of test results for such a NOPD treatment on honeycomb (HC) composite structures, based on finite element modeling (FEM) analyses, optimization and tests. Modeling and predictions were performed and tests were carried out to correlate the test data with the FEM. The optimization procedure consisted of defining a global objective function, using finite difference methods, to determine the optimal values of the design variables through quadratic linear programming. The optimization process was carried out by targeting the highest dynamic displacements of several vibration modes of the structure and finding an optimal treatment configuration that will minimize them. An optimal design was thus derived and laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate its performance under different vibration environments. Three honeycomb composite beams, with Nomex core and aluminum face sheets, empty (untreated), uniformly treated with NOPD, and optimally treated with NOPD, according to the analytically predicted optimal design configuration, were tested in the laboratory. It is shown that the beam with optimal treatment has the lowest response amplitude. Described below are results of modal vibration tests and FEM analyses from predictions of the modal characteristics of honeycomb beams under zero, 50% uniform treatment and an optimal NOPD treatment design configuration and verification with test data.

Panossian, H.↗

Patterns and Variability in Global Ocean Chlorophyll: Satellite Observations and Modeling

Recent analyses of SeaWiFS data have shown that global ocean chlorophyll has increased more than 4% since 1998. The North Pacific ocean basin has increased nearly 19%. These trend analyses follow earlier results showing decadal declines in global ocean chlorophyll and primary production. To understand the causes of these changes and trends we have applied the newly developed NASA Ocean Biogeochemical Assimilation Model (OBAM), which is driven in mechanistic fashion by surface winds, sea surface temperature, atmospheric iron deposition, sea ice, and surface irradiance. The model utilizes chlorophyll from SeaWiFS in a daily assimilation. The model has in place many of the climatic variables that can be expected to produce the changes observed in SeaWiFS data. This enables us to diagnose the model performance, the assimilation performance, and possible causes for the increase in chlorophyll. A full discussion of the changes and trends, possible causes, modeling approaches, and data assimilation will be the focus of the seminar.

Gregg, Watson↗