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At least 1,297 records · Page 72

Benchmarks of simple, generic, shaped plates for validation of low-frequency electromagnetic computational codes

The validation of low-frequency measurements and electromagnetic (EM) scattering computations for several simple, generic shapes, such as an equilateral-triangular plate, an equilateral-triangular plate with a concentric equilateral-triangular hole, and diamond- and hexagonal-shaped plates, is discussed. The plates were constructed from a thin aluminum sheet with a thickness of 0.08 cm. EM scattering by the planar plates was measured in the experimental test range (ETR) facility of NASA Langley Research Center. The dimensions of the plates were selected such that, over the frequency range of interest, the dimensions were in the range of lambda0 to 3(lambda0). In addition, the triangular plate with a triangular hole was selected to study internal-hole resonances.

Deshpande, M. D.↗

Overview of CFD flow modeling and validation: NASA. Ames Research Center

NASA Ames Center personnel presented data on stages of code development and corresponding experiments in the application of computational fluid dynamics for aeronautical investigations. Specific subjects included algorithms, grid generation, facilities, instrumentation, and data acquisition. Numerical simulation and flow modelling were described to show the procedure for calibration and validation.

Marvin, Joe G.↗

Status of NASA. Marshall Space Flight Center CFD application and validation activities

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center personnel presented a paper on the status of MSFC computational fluid dynamics application and validation activities. Subjects discussed included the Space Shuttle Main Engine studies, unsteady multistage turbine loads, fuel pump discharge volutes, and injector LOX inlet results based on fundamental flows, subcomponents, and interactive components/systems.

Schutzenhofer, L. A.↗

Summary of NASA. Lewis Research Center validation efforts

NASA Lewis Research Center personnel presented a summary of LeRC validation experiments. The subjects discussed included: iced wing, linear transonic cascade, transition duct aerodynamics, transition duct heat transfer, low speed centrifugal compressor, turbomachinery blade row interactions, and three dimensional fluid mechanics.

Gaugler, Raymond E.↗

NASA. Lewis Research Center/IFMD inlet duct and nozzle high speed validation experiments

Personnel from NASA Lewis Research Center spoke on the subject of inlet duct and nozzle high speed validation experiments to include crossing shocks and boundary layer interaction, unsteady shock/boundary layer interactions, and vortex generators. Attention was also paid to the subjects of high speed mixing and transition ducts. Specific application was made to the NASP hypermixing concepts.

Hingst, Warren↗

Development of a knoweledge-based system for validating finite element models

The finite element modeling of an airframe structure requires knowledge of general purpose programs such as NASTRAN as well as a detailed understanding of the airframe structure. Due to the sophistication of general purpose programs such as NASTRAN, a substantial investment in time and effort is required to gain expertise in using them effectively. This paper describes the development of an expert system used in the validation of NASTRAN based finite element models. Experts in the NASTRAN based finite element modeling of airframe structures were interviewed to document, understand, and represent their knowledge and reasoning in the expert system. Finite element stress analysis and internal loads reports generated by the experts were reviewed to determine expert resolution of problem areas. As a result, areas requiring expert assistance in the modeling of the airframe structures were identified. The finite element input data is represented as a set of 'facts'. A rule based representation is used to code the expert knowledge. A hierarchical set of rules are applied. The expert system first acts as an intelligent front end to insure that all the prerequisites needed to perform the analysis are present. This includes material properties, boundary conditions, and connectivity information. The next step examines if incompatible sets of elements are connected. The succeeding step examines if the specific airframe component is modeled by the appropriate set of elements. The next and final step examines if the airframe members used are adequate to represent the anticipated state of stress. The expert system is designed to inform the user the severity of the error, the likely consequence and possible remedial action. The shell used in the development of the expert system is CLIPS. CLIPS contains a forward chaining inference engine based on the Rete algorithm. CLIPS may be implemented on most personal computers as well as mini computers and mainframes. The approach taken is general and can be implemented using commercially available expert system shells.

Munir, N. I.↗

Flight validation of a pulsed smoke flow visualization system

A flow visualization scheme, designed to measure vortex fluid dynamics on research aircraft, was validated in flight. Strake vortex trajectories and axial core velocities were determined using pulsed smoke, high-speed video images, and semiautomated image edge detection hardware and software. Smoke was pulsed by using a fast-acting three-way valve. After being redesigned because of repeatedly jamming in flight, the valve shuttle operated flawlessly during the last two tests. A 25-percent scale, Gothic strake was used to generate vortex over the wing of a GA-7 Cougar and was operated at a local angle of attack of 22 degrees and Reynolds number of approximately 7.8 x 10(exp 5)/ft. Maximum axial velocities measured in the vortex core were between 1.75 and 1.95 times the freestream velocity. Analysis of the pulsed smoke system's affect on forebody vortices indicates that the system may reorient the forebody vortex system; however, blowing momentum coefficients normally used will have no appreciable affect on the leading-edge extension vortex system. It is recommended that a similar pulsed smoke system be installed on the F/A-18 High Angle Research Vehicle and that this approach be used to analyze vortex core dynamics during the remainder of its high-angle-of-attack research flights.

Ward, Donald T.↗

Formal methods and digital systems validation for airborne systems

This report has been prepared to supplement a forthcoming chapter on formal methods in the FAA Digital Systems Validation Handbook. Its purpose is as follows: to outline the technical basis for formal methods in computer science; to explain the use of formal methods in the specification and verification of software and hardware requirements, designs, and implementations; to identify the benefits, weaknesses, and difficulties in applying these methods to digital systems used on board aircraft; and to suggest factors for consideration when formal methods are offered in support of certification. These latter factors assume the context for software development and assurance described in RTCA document DO-178B, 'Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification,' Dec. 1992.

Rushby, John↗

Operational characterisation of requirements and early validation environment for high demanding space systems

The definition of some modern high demanding space systems requires a different approach to system definition and design from that adopted for traditional missions. System functionality is strongly coupled to the operational analysis, aimed at characterizing the dynamic interactions of the flight element with its surrounding environment and its ground control segment. Unambiguous functional, operational and performance requirements are to be defined for the system, thus improving also the successive development stages. This paper proposes a Petri Nets based methodology and two related prototype applications (to ARISTOTELES orbit control and to Hermes telemetry generation) for the operational analysis of space systems through the dynamic modeling of their functions and a related computer aided environment (ISIDE) able to make the dynamic model work, thus enabling an early validation of the system functional representation, and to provide a structured system requirements data base, which is the shared knowledge base interconnecting static and dynamic applications, fully traceable with the models and interfaceable with the external world.

Barro, E.↗

Session on validation of coupled models

The session on validation of coupled models is reviewed. The current use of a mesoscale model with a grid size of 20-km during STORM-FEST in 1992 has proven to be extremely valuable. The availability of forecast products at a much higher temporal and spatial resolution was very helpful for mesoscale forecasting, mission planning, and the guidance of research aircraft. Recent numerical simulation of ocean cyclones and mesoscsle convective systems using nonhydrostatic cloud/mesoscale models with a grid size as small as 2-km have demonstrated the potential of these models for predicting mesoscale convective systems, squall lines, hurricane rainbands, mesoscale gravity waves, and mesoscale frontal structures embedded within an extratropical cyclone. Although mesoscale/cloud scale models have demonstrated strong potential for use in operational forecasting, very limited quantitative evaluation (and verification) of these models were performed. As a result, the accuracy, the systematic biases, and the useful forecasts limits were not properly defined for these models. Also, no serious attempts were made to use these models for operational prediction of mesoscale convective systems.

Kuo, Bill↗

Pump CFD code validation tests

Pump CFD code validation tests were accomplished by obtaining nonintrusive flow characteristic data at key locations in generic current liquid rocket engine turbopump configurations. Data were obtained with a laser two-focus (L2F) velocimeter at scaled design flow. Three components were surveyed: a 1970's-designed impeller, a 1990's-designed impeller, and a four-bladed unshrouded inducer. Two-dimensional velocities were measured upstream and downstream of the two impellers. Three-dimensional velocities were measured upstream, downstream, and within the blade row of the unshrouded inducer.

Brozowski, L. A.↗

Code validation for the simulation of supersonic viscous flow about the F-16XL

The viewgraphs and discussion on code validation for the simulation of supersonic viscous flow about the F-16XL are provided. Because of the large potential gains related to laminar flow on the swept wings of supersonic aircraft, interest in the applications of laminar flow control (LFC) techniques in the supersonic regime has increased. A supersonic laminar flow control (SLFC) technology program is currently underway within NASA. The objective of this program is to develop the data base and design methods that are critical to the development of laminar flow control technology for application to supersonic transport aircraft design. Towards this end, the program integrates computational investigations underway at NASA Ames-Moffett and NASA Langley with flight-test investigations being conducted on the F-16XL at the NASA Ames-Dryden Research Facility in cooperation with Rockwell International. The computational goal at NASA Ames-Moffett is to integrate a thin-layer Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes flow solver with a stability analysis code. The flow solver would provide boundary layer profiles to the stability analysis code which in turn would predict transition on the F-16XL wing. To utilize the stability analysis codes, reliable boundary layer data is necessary at off-design cases. Previously, much of the prediction of boundary layer transition has been accomplished through the coupling of boundary layer codes with stability theory. However, boundary layer codes may have difficulties at high Reynolds numbers, of the order of 100 million, and with the current complex geometry in question. Therefore, a reliable code which solves the thin-layer Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations is needed. Two objectives are discussed, the first in greater depth. The first objective is method verification, via comparisons of computations with experiment, of the reliability and robustness of the code. To successfully implement LFC techniques to the F-16XL wing, the flow about the leading edge must be maintained as laminar flow. Therefore, the second objective is to focus on a series of numerical simulations with different values of angle of attack, alpha, and Reynolds numbers. The purpose of the simulations is to study their effects on the two main factors which precipitate transition to turbulence at leading edges of highly swept wings (e.g., 'spanwise contamination' and 'crossflow instability').

Flores, Jolen↗

Structurally compliant rocket engine combustion chamber: Experimental and analytical validation

A new, structurally compliant rocket engine combustion chamber design has been validated through analysis and experiment. Subscale, tubular channel chambers have been cyclically tested and analytically evaluated. Cyclic lives were determined to have a potential for 1000 percent increase over those of rectangular channel designs, the current state of the art. Greater structural compliance in the circumferential direction gave rise to lower thermal strains during hot firing, resulting in lower thermal strain ratcheting and longer predicted fatigue lives. Thermal, structural, and durability analyses of the combustion chamber design, involving cyclic temperatures, strains, and low-cycle fatigue lives, have corroborated the experimental observations.

Jankovsky, Robert S.↗

Experimental evaluation of certification trails using abstract data type validation

Certification trails are a recently introduced and promising approach to fault-detection and fault-tolerance. Recent experimental work reveals many cases in which a certification-trail approach allows for significantly faster program execution time than a basic time-redundancy approach. Algorithms for answer-validation of abstract data types allow a certification trail approach to be used for a wide variety of problems. An attempt to assess the performance of algorithms utilizing certification trails on abstract data types is reported. Specifically, this method was applied to the following problems: heapsort, Hullman tree, shortest path, and skyline. Previous results used certification trails specific to a particular problem and implementation. The approach allows certification trails to be localized to 'data structure modules,' making the use of this technique transparent to the user of such modules.

Wilson, Dwight S.↗

An arbitrary grid CFD algorithm for configuration aerodynamics analysis. Volume 1: Theory and validations

This report documents the user input and output data requirements for the FEMNAS finite element Navier-Stokes code for real-gas simulations of external aerodynamics flowfields. This code was developed for the configuration aerodynamics branch of NASA ARC, under SBIR Phase 2 contract NAS2-124568 by Computational Mechanics Corporation (COMCO). This report is in two volumes. Volume 1 contains the theory for the derived finite element algorithm and describes the test cases used to validate the computer program described in the Volume 2 user guide.

Baker, A. J.↗

Validated technology for the reduction of spacecraft vibrations - Controls-Structures Integration (CSI)

The NASA Langley Research Center has constructed several testbeds to assess the viability of flexible structure control. It is found, however, that simply adding sensors, actuators, and a control system to an existing structure (i.e. space platform) is not the preferred methodology for improving pointing performance. When the structure is designed without regard to pointing control, significant design freedom is lost. The preferred design procedure is to simultaneously design the structure and the control system, hence, the name Controls-Structures Integration. By designing the structure and control system simultaneously, much higher efficiency can be achieved. In this study, an 18 m long truss structure with several appendages was enhanced through integrated controls and structures design. The design was fabricated and tested for validation of the methodology. Test results collaborated predictions and showed a 60 percent reduction in control energy for the enhanced test article.

Newsom, Jerry R.↗

Validation of a unique concept for a low-cost, lightweight space-deployable antenna structure

An experiment conducted in the framework of a NASA In-Space Technology Experiments Program based on a concept of inflatable deployable structures is described. The concept utilizes very low inflation pressure to maintain the required geometry on orbit and gravity-induced deflection of the structure precludes any meaningful ground-based demonstrations of functions performance. The experiment is aimed at validating and characterizing the mechanical functional performance of a 14-m-diameter inflatable deployable reflector antenna structure in the orbital operational environment. Results of the experiment are expected to significantly reduce the user risk associated with using large space-deployable antennas by demonstrating the functional performance of a concept that meets the criteria for low-cost, lightweight, and highly reliable space-deployable structures.

Freeland, R. E.↗

Validation of two-equation turbulence models for propulsion flowfields

The objective of the study is to assess the capability of two-equation turbulence models for simulating propulsion-related flowfields. The standard kappa-epsilon model with Chien's low Reynolds number formulation for near-wall effects is used as the baseline turbulence model. Several experimental test cases, representative of rocket combustor internal flowfields, are used to catalog the performance of the baseline model. Specific flowfields considered here include recirculating flow behind a backstep, mixing between coaxial jets and planar shear layers. Since turbulence solutions are notoriously dependent on grid and numerical methodology, the effects of grid refinement and artificial dissipation on numerical accuracy are studied. In the latter instance, computational results obtained with several central-differenced and upwind-based formulations are compared. Based on these results, improved turbulence modes such as enhanced kappa-epsilon models as well as other two-equation formulations (e.g., kappa-omega) are being studied. In addition, validation of swirling and reacting flowfields are also currently underway.

Deshpande, Manish↗