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At least 1,315 records · Page 73

Effective Widths of Compression-Loaded Plates With a Cutout

A study of the effects of cutouts and laminate construction on the prebuckling and initial postbuckling stiffnesses, and the effective widths of compression-loaded, laminated-composite and aluminum square plates is presented. The effective-width concept is extended to plates with cutouts, and experimental and nonlinear finite-element analysis results are presented. Behavioral trends are compared for seven plate families and for cutout-diameter-to-plate-width ratios up to 0.66. A general compact design curve that can be used to present and compare the effective widths for a wide range of laminate constructions is also presented. A discussion of how the results can be used and extended to include certain types of damage, cracks, and other structural discontinuities or details is given. Several behavioral trends are described that initially appear to be nonintuitive. The results demonstrate a complex interaction between cutout size and plate orthotropy that affects the axial stiffness and effective width of a plate subjected to compression loads.

Hilburger, Mark W.↗

Observational and theoretical analyses of polar cap/auroral region f(sub p) and 2 f(sub p) emissions using the polar and DE 1 satellites

The objective of this proposal was to conduct a comprehensive observational and theoretical investigation, including 2-D numerical simulations of emissions that occur near f(sub p) and 2 f(sub p) as observed by the Dynamics Explorer 1 (DE 1) spacecraft in the mid-altitude polar magnetosphere. Electrostatic electron plasma waves (or Langmuir waves) and associated electromagnetic (ETD) radiation near f(sub p) and 2 f(sub p) have previously been observed associated with the Earth's foreshock and in coronal/solar wind type II and III solar radio bursts. The observations of similar emissions in the terrestrial polar magnetosphere have not been previously reported and are important for a better understanding of the range of generation processes. We have been cataloging the location, electric and magnetic intensity, polarization, bandwidth, etc. of the emissions. The theoretical analysis included linear and nonlinear plasma theory. The goal was to fully describe the generation processes for both the f(sub p) (PF component) and 2 f(sub p) (H component) emissions. Although this goal was not completely accomplished, we have made significant advances in our understanding of these emissions.

Menietti, J. D.↗

Tropospheric Formaldehyde Measurements from the ESA GOME Instrument

The Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) was launched on the European Space Agency's ERS-2 satellite on April 20, 1995. GOME measures the Earth's atmosphere in the nadir geometry, using a set of spectrometers that cover the UV and visible (240-790 nm) at moderate resolution (0.2 nm in the UV, 0.4 nm in the visible), employing silicon diode array detectors. GOME takes some 30,000 spectra per day, obtaining full global coverage in three days. We directly fit GOME radiance spectra using nonlinear least-squares analysis to obtain column amounts of several trace species with significant tropospheric concentrations, including ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and formaldehyde (HCHO). Measurements of HCHO due to biogenic activity in the troposphere are presented here.

Chance, K.↗

The Application of Hilbert-Huang Transforms to Meteorological Datasets

Recently a new spectral technique as been developed for the analysis of aperiodic and nonlinear signals - the Hilbert-Huang transform. This paper shows how these transforms can be used to discover synoptic and climatic features: For sea level data, the transforms capture the oceanic tides as well as large, aperiodic river outflows. In the case of solar radiation, we observe variations in the diurnal and seasonal cycles. Finally, from barographic data, the Hilbert-Huang transform reveals the passage of extratropical cyclones, fronts, and troughs. Thus, this technique can flag significant weather events such its a flood or the passage of a squall line.

Duffy, Dean G.↗

Buckling Design and Imperfection Sensitivity of Sandwich Composite Launch-Vehicle Shell Structures

Composite materials are increasingly being considered and used for launch-vehicle structures. For shell structures, such as interstages, skirts, and shrouds, honeycomb-core sandwich composites are often selected for their structural efficiency. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the structural response, including buckling, of sandwich composite shell structures. Additionally, small geometric imperfections can significantly influence the buckling response, including considerably reducing the buckling load, of shell structures. Thus, both the response of the theoretically perfect structure and the buckling imperfection sensitivity must be considered during the design of such structures. To address the latter, empirically derived design factors, called buckling knockdown factors (KDFs), were developed by NASA in the 1960s to account for this buckling imperfection sensitivity during design. However, most of the test-article designs used in the development of these recommendations are not relevant to modern launch-vehicle constructions and material systems, and in particular, no composite test articles were considered. Herein, a two-part study on composite sandwich shells to (1) examine the relationship between the buckling knockdown factor and the areal mass of optimized designs, and (2) to interrogate the imperfection sensitivity of those optimized designs is presented. Four structures from recent NASA launch-vehicle development activities are considered. First, designs optimized for both strength and stability were generated for each of these structures using design optimization software and a range of buckling knockdown factors; it was found that the designed areal masses varied by between 6.1% and 19.6% over knockdown factors ranging from 0.6 to 0.9. Next, the buckling imperfection sensitivity of the optimized designs is explored using nonlinear finite-element analysis and the as-measured shape of a large-scale composite cylindrical shell. When compared with the current buckling design recommendations, the results suggest that the current recommendations are overly conservative and that the development of new recommendations could reduce the acreage areal mass of many composite sandwich shell designs by between 4% and 19%, depending on the structure.

Schultz, Marc R.↗

Gradient-Based Optimization of the Common Research Model Wing Subject to CFD-Based Gust and Flutter Constraints

The linearized frequency-domain method was recently implemented in the stabilized finite element solver in NASA’s FUN3D code. Previous work by the authors used this method for enforcing flutter constraints during gradient-based optimizations. More recently, the solver was expanded to account for continuous (also known as stochastic) gust responses. This paper expands on recent Common Research Model wing optimization work, which demonstrated gradient-based optimization with flutter and stochastic gust constraints, among others. While that work utilized FUN3D for static aeroelastic solutions but relied on doublet lattice aerodynamics for gust and flutter responses, the present work replaces these unsteady aerodynamic analyses with those of FUN3D’s linearized frequency-domain solver. With analytic derivatives available, gradient-based optimization is performed through the use of the OpenMDAO/MPhys libraries with over 700 shape, structural, and aerodynamic design variables and over 10 nonlinear constraints. Comparisons of analysis results and optimized designs are made between doublet lattice and linearized frequency-domain solutions.

aeroelasticity↗

Full nonlinear treatment of the global thermospheric wind system. Part 1: Mathematical method and analysis of forces

The equations of horizontal motion of the neutral atmosphere between 120 and 500 km are integrated with the inclusion of all the nonlinear terms of the convective derivative and the viscous forces due to vertical and horizontal velocity gradients. Empirical models of the distribution of neutral and charged particles are assumed to be known. The model of velocities developed is a steady state model. In part 1 the mathematical method used in the integration of the Navier-Stokes equations is described and the various forces are analysed.

Blum, P. W.↗

Time-domain Green's Function Method for three-dimensional nonlinear subsonic flows

The Green's Function Method for linearized 3D unsteady potential flow (embedded in the computer code SOUSSA P) is extended to include the time-domain analysis as well as the nonlinear term retained in the transonic small disturbance equation. The differential-delay equations in time, as obtained by applying the Green's Function Method (in a generalized sense) and the finite-element technique to the transonic equation, are solved directly in the time domain. Comparisons are made with both linearized frequency-domain calculations and existing nonlinear results.

Tseng, K.↗

Finite element analysis of instability related delamination growth

Instability-related growth of through-width delaminations in laminated coupons was investigated analytically and experimentally. In the analytical effort, a geometrically nonlinear finite-element stress analysis was used, and the numerical results were compared with exact solutions. In addition, measured lateral deflections of postbuckled through-width delaminations were compared with predicted deflections. Lateral deflections, stress distributions, and strain energy release rates were calculated for various delamination lengths, delamination depths, and applied loads. Delamination growth rates observed for unidirectional graphite/epoxy bonded to aluminum were qualitatively correlated with calculated strain-energy release rates and it was found that the Mode I component of energy release dominates the growth process.

Whitcomb, J. D.↗

Stability/Instability Analysis of Rotating Machinery

Numerical index of stability calculated for nonlinear system. Technique for determining rotor stability or instability from analysis of measurements adapted for use with computer simulations of rotor motion. Involves calculation of log decrement or increment of vibration amplitude. Applicable to rotors mounted in loose bearings and to similar problems in which load-versus-deflection characteristics nonlinear. Developed for assessments of vibrational characteristics of turbopump rotors, technique also usable with such mechanisms as high-speed ball bearings.

Powers, Richard W.↗

Bayesian inference in band excitation scanning probe microscopy for optimal dynamic model selection in imaging

The universal tendency in scanning probe microscopy (SPM) over the last two decades is to transition from simple 2D imaging to complex detection and spectroscopic imaging modes. The emergence of complex SPM engines brings forth the challenge of reliable data interpretation, i.e., conversion from detected signals to descriptors specific to tip–surface interactions and subsequently to material’s properties. In this work, we implemented a Bayesian inference approach for the analysis of the image formation mechanisms in band excitation SPM. Compared to the point estimates in classical functional fit approaches, Bayesian inference allows for the incorporation of extant knowledge of materials and probe behavior in the form of corresponding prior distribution and return the information on the material functionality in the form of readily interpretable posterior distributions. We explore the nonlinear mechanical behaviors spatially in a classical ferroelectric material, PbTiO 3 . We observe the non-trivial evolution of the Duffing stiffness term and the nonlinearity of the sample surface, determine spatial clustering of the nonlinear response, and perform a Landau analysis on predicting the nonlinear coefficient, which indicates that ferroelectric behavior can be a cause of the observed results. These observations suggest that the spectrum of anomalous behaviors at the ferroelectric domain walls may be broader than previously believed and can extend to non-conventional mechanical properties in addition to static and microwave conductance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Comparison of Nonlinear Random Response Using Equivalent Linearization and Numerical Simulation

A recently developed finite-element-based equivalent linearization approach for the analysis of random vibrations of geometrically nonlinear multiple degree-of-freedom structures is validated. The validation is based on comparisons with results from a finite element based numerical simulation analysis using a numerical integration technique in physical coordinates. In particular, results for the case of a clamped-clamped beam are considered for an extensive load range to establish the limits of validity of the equivalent linearization approach.

Rizzi, Stephen A.↗

On practical stability.

In this paper, a class of nonlinear nonautonomous systems with multiple nonlinearities is considered. Sufficient conditions are developed for a type of practical stability with specified settling time. The conditions are independent of the actual form of nonlinear characteristics so that they can be interpreted as conditions for 'absolute' practical stability. The stability test is reduced to verification of the Hurwitz property of a constant matrix. This makes the stability analysis of the considered class of nonlinear systems convenient for machine computations. The proposed practical stability analysis is applied to a third-order system with several nonlinearities.

Grujic, L. T.↗

Deep Learning for Rapid Analysis of Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Data

High‐throughput experimental approaches to rapidly develop new materials require high‐throughput data analysis methods to match. Spectroscopic ellipsometry is a powerful method of optical properties characterization, but for unknown materials and/or layer structures the data analysis using traditional methods of nonlinear regression is too slow for autonomous, closed‐loop, high‐throughput experimentation. Herein, three methods (termed spectral, piecewise, and pointwise) of spectroscopic ellipsometry data analysis based on deep learning are introduced and studied. After initial training, the incremental time for inferring optical properties can be a thousand times faster than traditional methods. Results for multilayer sample structures with optically isotropic materials are presented, appropriate for high‐throughput studies of thin films of phase‐change materials such as GeSbTe (GST) alloys. Results for studies on highly birefringent layered materials are also presented, exemplified by the transition metal dichalcogenide MoS 2 . How the materials under test and the experimental objectives may guide the choice of analysis methods are discussed. The utility of our approach is demonstrated by analyzing data measured on a composition spread of GeSbTe phase‐change alloys containing 177 distinct compositions, and identifying the composition with optimal phase‐change figure of merit in only 1.4 s of analysis time.

Li, Yifei↗

Analysis of far-infrared emission Fourier transform spectra

An analysis method that uses the nonlinear least-squares fit technique has been developed for emission spectra obtained with a Fourier transform spectrometer. This method is used for the analysis of submillimeter-region atmospheric emission spectra obtained with a balloon-borne FT spectrometer that was carried out as a correlative measurement for the Limb IR Monitor of the Stratosphere (LIMS) satellite experiment. The retrieved mixing ratios of H2O and O3 in the stratosphere from four spectral intervals have standard deviations of about 10 percent, and the average values agree to within 10 percent of corresponding results from the LIMS satellite experiment which used a broadband emission radiometer in the IR region.

Park, J. H.↗

High-Alpha Research Vehicle Lateral-Directional Control Law Description, Analyses, and Simulation Results

This report contains a description of a lateral-directional control law designed for the NASA High-Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV). The HARV is a F/A-18 aircraft modified to include a research flight computer, spin chute, and thrust-vectoring in the pitch and yaw axes. Two separate design tools, CRAFT and Pseudo Controls, were integrated to synthesize the lateral-directional control law. This report contains a description of the lateral-directional control law, analyses, and nonlinear simulation (batch and piloted) results. Linear analysis results include closed-loop eigenvalues, stability margins, robustness to changes in various plant parameters, and servo-elastic frequency responses. Step time responses from nonlinear batch simulation are presented and compared to design guidelines. Piloted simulation task scenarios, task guidelines, and pilot subjective ratings for the various maneuvers are discussed. Linear analysis shows that the control law meets the stability margin guidelines and is robust to stability and control parameter changes. Nonlinear batch simulation analysis shows the control law exhibits good performance and meets most of the design guidelines over the entire range of angle-of-attack. This control law (designated NASA-1A) was flight tested during the Summer of 1994 at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

Davidson, John B.↗