Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Nonlinear”

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 1,333 records · Page 74

Study report on guidelines and test procedures for investigating stability of nonlinear cardiovascular control system models

A general study of the stability of nonlinear as compared to linear control systems is presented. The analysis is general and, therefore, applies to other types of nonlinear biological control systems as well as the cardiovascular control system models. Both inherent and numerical stability are discussed for corresponding analytical and graphic methods and numerical methods.

Fitzjerrell, D. G.↗

Identification of limit cycles in multi-nonlinearity, multiple path systems

A method of analysis which identifies limit cycles in autonomous systems with multiple nonlinearities and multiple forward paths is presented. The FORTRAN code for implementing the Harmonic Balance Algorithm is reported. The FORTRAN code is used to identify limit cycles in multiple path and nonlinearity systems while retaining the effects of several harmonic components.

Mitchell, J. R.↗

Research on an augmented Lagrangian penalty function algorithm for nonlinear programming

The augmented Lagrangian (ALAG) Penalty Function Algorithm for optimizing nonlinear mathematical models is discussed. The mathematical models of interest are deterministic in nature and finite dimensional optimization is assumed. A detailed review of penalty function techniques in general and the ALAG technique in particular is presented. Numerical experiments are conducted utilizing a number of nonlinear optimization problems to identify an efficient ALAG Penalty Function Technique for computer implementation.

Frair, L.↗

A critical evaluation of the minimization techniques as applied to nonlinear structural analyses

This paper identifies the potential for unconstrained minimization algorithms of mathematical programming to be cost-effective with other conventional techniques of transient nonlinear structural analysis. With this in mind the authors have attempted to critically evaluate a few of the most commonly used algorithms for their effectiveness in solving structural problems involving geometric and material nonlinearities. The algorithms have been categorized as being zeroth order, first order and second order depending upon the order of the derivative of the function called for by the algorithm. The sensitivity of these algorithms to the accuracy of derivatives derived on the basis of finite difference operations clearly suggest using analytically derived derivatives to obtain better control on the number of minimizations required for convergence to the exact solution.

Kamat, M. P.↗

Set-point control of nonlinear systems

A method of nonlinear stochastic control is applied to the problem of providing set-point control. The procedure is illustrated for a nonlinear second-order plant. The controller design uses a variation of the 'multiple-model adaptive control' approach. Specific problems related to the design are investigated, including learning time and set-point accuracy dependence on the number of approximating models, chord versus tangent approximations, and the a priori Markov switching parameter values. Simulations are provided for different situations under various levels of measurement noise.

Vanlandingham, H. F.↗

Robustness and computational aspects of nonlinear stochastic estimators and regulators

Robustness properties of nonlinear extended Kalman filters with constant gains and modeling errors are presented. Sufficient conditions for the nondivergence of state estimates generated by such nonlinear estimators are given. In addition, the overall robustness and stability properties of closed-loop stochastic regulators, based upon the Linear-Quadratic-Gaussian design methodology using linearized dynamics, are presented; the sufficient conditions for closed-loop stability have 'separation-type' property.

Safonov, M. G.↗

Diagrammatic analysis of the density operator for nonlinear optical calculations Pulsed and CW responses

In the present paper a diagrammatic analysis of the density operator for the evaluation of nonlinear optical quantities is considered. The present approach extends earlier diagrammatic analysis by treating the time evolution of both the wave function and its complex conjugate. Time-ordered graphs result, each of which corresponds to a term in the density matrix. Examples involving the third-order susceptibility are discussed for both monochromatic and pulse excitation. In particular coherent rotational transient birefringence is discussed. The diagrams provide a convenient means by which nonlinear optical processes can be precisely defined and the susceptibility readily evaluated.

Yee, T. K.↗

Simplified and refined finite element approaches for determining stresses and internal forces in geometrically nonlinear structural analysis

Two methods for determining stresses and internal forces in geometrically nonlinear structural analysis are presented. The simplified approach uses the mid-deformed structural position to evaluate strains when rigid body rotation is present. The important feature of this approach is that it can easily be used with a general-purpose finite-element computer program. The refined approach uses element intrinsic or corotational coordinates and a geometric transformation to determine element strains from joint displacements. Results are presented which demonstrate the capabilities of these potentially useful approaches for geometrically nonlinear structural analysis.

Robinson, J. C.↗

Second order nonlinear equations of motion for spinning highly flexible line-elements

A formulation is given for the second order nonlinear equations of motion for spinning line-elements having little or no intrinsic structural stiffness. Such elements have been employed in recent studies of structural concepts for future large space structures such as the Heliogyro solar sailer. The derivation is based on Hamilton's variational principle and includes the effect of initial geometric imperfections (axial, curvature, and twist) on the line-element dynamics. For comparison with previous work, the nonlinear equations are reduced to a linearized form frequently found in the literature. The comparison has revealed several new spin-stiffening terms that have not been previously identified and/or retained. They combine geometric imperfections, rotary inertia, Coriolis, and gyroscopic terms.

Salama, M.↗

Plastic deformation of engines and other nonlinear structures

Plastic Analysis Capability for Engines (BOPACE3D) in nonlinear stress-analysis program based on very general family of isoparametric finite elements. Although development of BOPACE3D has been heavily influenced by requirements for engine analysis (in particular Space Shuttle main engine), it is general program applicable to many nonlinear structures.

Vos, R. G.↗

Some Problems of Nonlinear Waves in Solid Propellant Rocket Motors

This paper is concerned with analyses of nonlinear waves in solid propellant rockets. Most attention is given to an approximate technique which inexpensively provides results which appear to be quite accurate at least up to amplitudes of ten percent. The connection with linear stability analysis is shown. Primarily to study nonlinear stability, or triggering, the method is extended to third order in the amplitude of wave motion; no explicit results have been obtained. Application of the approximate method to the behavior of pulses is described.

F E C Culick↗

Nonlinear Aeroelastic Equations of Motion of Twisted, Nonuniform, Flexible Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine Blades

The second-degree nonlinear equations of motion for a flexible, twisted, nonuniform, horizontal axis wind turbine blade were developed using Hamilton's principle. A mathematical ordering scheme which was consistent with the assumption of a slender beam was used to discard some higher-order elastic and inertial terms in the second-degree nonlinear equations. The blade aerodynamic loading which was employed accounted for both wind shear and tower shadow and was obtained from strip theory based on a quasi-steady approximation of two-dimensional, incompressible, unsteady, airfoil theory. The resulting equations had periodic coefficients and were suitable for determining the aeroelastic stability and response of large horizontal-axis wind turbine blades.

Kaza, K. R. V.↗

Study of solution procedures for nonlinear structural equations

A method for the redution of the cost of solution of large nonlinear structural equations was developed. Verification was made using the MARC-STRUC structure finite element program with test cases involving single and multiple degrees of freedom for static geometric nonlinearities. The method developed was designed to exist within the envelope of accuracy and convergence characteristic of the particular finite element methodology used.

Young, C. T., II↗

Response of nonlinear panels to random loads

Lightweight aircraft structures exposed to a high intensity noise environment can fatigue prematurely if adequate consideration is not given to the problem. Design methods and design criteria for sonic fatigue prevention were developed based on analytical and experimental techniques. Most of the analytical work was based upon small deflection or linear structural theory which did not agree with the experimental results. A large deflection geometrical nonlinearity was incorporated into the analysis methods for determining the structural response to high intensity noise. The Karman-Herrmann large deflection equations with a single mode Galerkin approximation, and the method of equivalent linearization were used to predict mean square amplitude, mean square stresses, and nonlinear frequency at various acoustic loadings for rectangular panels. Both simply supported and clamped support conditions with immovable or movable inplane edges are considered. Comparisons with experimental results are presented.

Mei, C.↗

Post-buckling behavior of a beam-column on a nonlinear elastic foundation with a gap

The structural behavior of an elastic beam-column placed with a gap between two nonlinearity elastic layers each resting on a rigid foundation was examined. The beam-column was laterally supported at both ends and subjected to a uniform transverse load and axial compression. Its slenderness was such that the axial compressive force exceeds the amount that would be necessary to buckle it as a simple supported column. The elastic layers were represented by an elastic foundation with a strongly nonlinear specific reaction taken as a rapidly increasing function of the layer compression. The analytical model developed simulated the entire pattern of the deflection and stress state including layer and end support reactions, under gradually increasing axial force.

Kuznetsov, E. N.↗

Nonlinear finite element analysis: An alternative formulation

A geometrical nonlinear analysis based on an alternative definition of strain is presented. Expressions for strain are obtained by computing the change in length of the base vectors in the curvilinear element coordinate system. The isoparametric element formulation is assumed in the global Cartesian coordinate system. The approach is based on the minimization of the strain energy, and the resulting nonlinear equations are solved by the modified Newton method. Integration of the first and second variation of the strain energy is performed numerically in the case of two and three dimensional elements. Application is made to a simple long cantilever beam.

Merazzi, S.↗

Feedback invariants for nonlinear systems

The effect of nonlinear feedback on nonlinear systems is discussed for problems where the controls are entered linearly. The invariance of certain quantities under feedback are established, and it is shown that these quantities contain enough information to determine if the system can be linearized using feedback and change of coordinates. Attention is given to scalar input systems emphasizing a new F-invariant property.

Brockett, R. W.↗

Nonlinear optical processing with Fabry-Perot interferometers containing phase recording media

New techniques in nonlinear optical processing are explored, based on the operation of intensity level selection as performed by a Fabry-Perot interferometer containing a phase object. The image being processed is recorded on a medium between the mirrors as a spatially varying phase shift less than pi. The interferometer only transmits light through those portions of the object that corresponds to a single value of the phase and hence to a single intensity level in the input. More complicated operations such as thresholding and analog-to-digital conversion are performed by modulating the light source as the different levels are selected. Photoresist and lithium niobate have been used as phase objects, and experimental data for both are presented. Three kinds of Fabry-Perot interferometers have been used to demonstrate nonlinear processing using coherent and incoherent light. Color images have been produced with black and white inputs and white light illumination.

Bartholomew, B. J.↗