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At least 1,513 records · Page 84

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NASA NTRS1974

Nonlinear finite-element analysis of laminated composite shells

Two aspects of the geometrically nonlinear analysis of laminated composite shells are considered in this paper. The first pertains to the simplifications and computational advantages resulting from the use of group-theoretic methods in conjunction with computerized symbolic (algebraic) manipulation in the element development. The second aspect pertains to the combined effects of shear deformation and nonlinearity on the accuracy and convergence of two-dimensional, shear-flexible stiffness finite element models.

Noor, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Application of an advanced computerized structural design system to an arrow-wing supersonic cruise aircraft

A structural design study of an arrow-wing supersonic cruise aircraft has been made using the integrated design system, ATLAS, and a relatively large analytical finite-element model containing 8500 degrees of freedom. This paper focuses on structural design methods developed and used in support of the study with emphasis on aeroelasticity. The use of ATLAS permitted (1) automatic resizing of the wing structure for multiple load conditions, (2) rapid evaluation of aeroelastic effects, and (3) an iterative approach to the correction of flutter deficiencies. The significant results of the study are discussed along with the advantages derived from the use of an advanced structural design system in preliminary design studies.

Robinson, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1976

A computer program for anisotropic shallow-shell finite elements using symbolic integration

A FORTRAN computer program for anisotropic shallow-shell finite elements with variable curvature is described. A listing of the program is presented together with printed output for a sample case. Computation times and central memory requirements are given for several different elements. The program is based on a stiffness (displacement) finite-element model in which the fundamental unknowns consist of both the displacement and the rotation components of the reference surface of the shell. Two triangular and four quadrilateral elements are implemented in the program. The triangular elements have 6 or 10 nodes, and the quadrilateral elements have 4 or 8 nodes. Two of the quadrilateral elements have internal degrees of freedom associated with displacement modes which vanish along the edges of the elements (bubble modes). The triangular elements and the remaining two quadrilateral elements do not have bubble modes. The output from the program consists of arrays corresponding to the stiffness, the geometric stiffness, the consistent mass, and the consistent load matrices for individual elements. The integrals required for the generation of these arrays are evaluated by using symbolic (or analytic) integration in conjunction with certain group-theoretic techniques. The analytic expressions for the integrals are exact and were developed using the symbolic and algebraic manipulation language.

Andersen, C. M.↗

NASA NTRS1976

On a 3-D singularity element for computation of combined mode stress intensities

A special three-dimensional singularity element is developed for the computation of combined modes 1, 2, and 3 stress intensity factors, which vary along an arbitrarily curved crack front in three dimensional linear elastic fracture problems. The finite element method is based on a displacement-hybrid finite element model, based on a modified variational principle of potential energy, with arbitrary element interior displacements, interelement boundary displacements, and element boundary tractions as variables. The special crack-front element used in this analysis contains the square root singularity in strains and stresses, where the stress-intensity factors K(1), K(2), and K(3) are quadratically variable along the crack front and are solved directly along with the unknown nodal displacements.

Atluri, S. N.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Titanium and advanced composite structures for a supersonic cruise arrow wing configuration

Structural design studies were made, based on current technology and on an estimate of technology to be available in the mid 1980's, to assess the relative merits of structural concepts and materials for an advanced arrow wing configuration cruising at Mach 2.7. Preliminary studies were made to insure compliance of the configuration with general design criteria, integrate the propulsion system with the airframe, and define an efficient structural arrangement. Material and concept selection, detailed structural analysis, structural design and airplane mass analysis were completed based on current technology. Based on estimated future technology, structural sizing for strength and a preliminary assessment of the flutter of a strength designed composite structure were completed. An advanced computerized structural design system was used, in conjunction with a relatively complex finite element model, for detailed analysis and sizing of structural members.

Turner, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

The GSFC NASTRAN thermal analyzer new capabilities

An overview of four analysis capabilities, which developed and integrated into the NASTRAN Thermal Analyzer, is given. To broaden the scope of applications, these additions provide the NTA users with the following capabilities: (1) simulating a thermal louver as a means of the passive thermal control, (2) simulating a fluid loop for transporting energy as a means of the active thermal control, (3) condensing a large sized finite element model for an efficient transient thermal analysis, and (4) entering multiple boundary condition sets in a single submission for execution in steady state thermal analyses.

Lee, H. P.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Deformations of thick two-material cylinder under axially varying radial pressure

Stresses and deformations in thick, short, composite cylinder subjected to axially varying radial pressure are studied. Effect of slippage at the interface is examined. In the NASTRAN finite element model, multipoint constraint feature is utilized. Results are compared with theoretical analysis and SAP-IV computer code. Results from NASTRAN computer code are in good agreement with the analytical solutions. Results suggest a considerable influence of interfacial slippage on the axial bending stresses in the cylinder.

Patel, Y. A.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Thermal and Structural Analysis of Helicopter Transmission Housings Using NASTRAN

The application of NASTRAN to improve the design of helicopter transmission housings is described. A finite element model of the complete forward rotor transmission housing for the Boeing Vertol CH-47C helicopter was used to study thermal distortion and stress, stress and deflection due to static and dynamic loads, load paths, and design optimization by the control of structural energy distribution. The analytical results are correlated with test data and used to reduce weight and to improve strength, service life, failsafety, and reliability. The techniques presented, although applied herein to helicopter transmissions, are sufficiently general to be applicable to any power transmission system.

Howells, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1976

A postprocessor system for the data reduction and post analysis of NASTRAN results

NASTRAN analysis results are scanned to determine maximum and minimum displacements, forces and stresses. Allowables and margins of safety are computed, and in the case of multiple loading conditions, envelopes for displacements, forces, stresses and margins of safety are also produced for specified element sets. Graphical plots of the reduced or the regular NASTRAN results may be obtained superimposed either of a developed fuselage strip or on a projection of any specified part of the finite element model. The use of the data reduction, post analysis and graphical plotting capabilities provide the analyst with a fast and convenient tool for the study of NASTRAN analysis results and their presentation for project documentation.

Raibstein, A. I.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Study of structural design concepts for an arrow wing supersonic transport configuration, volume 1. Tasks 1 and 2

A structural design study was made, based on a 1975 level of technology, to assess the relative merits of structural concepts and materials for an advanced supersonic transport cruising at Mach 2.7. Preliminary studies were made to insure compliance of the configuration with general design criteria, to integrate the propulsion system with the airframe, to select structural concepts and materials, and to define an efficient structural arrangement. An advanced computerized structural design system was used, in conjunction with a relatively large, complex finite element model, for detailed analysis and sizing of structural members to satisfy strength and flutter criteria. A baseline aircraft design was developed for assessment of current technology and for use in future studies of aerostructural trades, and application of advanced technology. Criteria, analysis methods, and results are presented.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1977

Improved stress-intensity factors for semi-elliptical surface cracks in finite-thickness plates

Stress-intensity factors for shallow and deep semi-elliptical surface cracks in plates subjected to tension are presented. To verify the accuracy of the three-dimensional finite-element models employed, convergence was studied by varying the number of degrees of freedom in the models from 1500 to 6900. The 6900 degrees of freedom used here were more than twice the number used in previously reported solutions.

Raju, I. S.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Drive Train Normal Modes Analysis for the ERDA/NASA 100-Kilowatt Wind Turbine Generator

Natural frequencies, as a function of power were determined using a finite element model. Operating conditions investigated were operation with a resistive electrical load and operation synchronized to an electrical utility grid. The influence of certain drive train components on frequencies and mode shapes is shown. An approximate method for obtaining drive train natural frequencies is presented.

Sullivan, T. L.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Crack growth in Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V with real-time and accelerated flight-by-flight loading

Crack growth in Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V was measured and calculated for real-time and accelerated simulations of supersonic airplane loading and heating. Crack-growth rates calculated on the assumption that an entire flight could be represented by a single cycle predicted the experimental rates poorly. Calculated crack-growth rates were slower than the experimental rates for all tests with flight-by-flight loading. For room-temperature accelerated tests, the calculated rates agreed well with the experimental rates; but the calculations became progressively less accurate for progressively more complex test conditions (tests that included elevated temperature). Calculations of crack growth using the crack-closure concept can probably be improved through study of crack-opening stresses using finite-element models that account for variable-amplitude loading, residual stresses, and temperature effects. The calculations of crack growth could also be improved through detailed studies of material properties and interactions among stress, temperature, and time as appropriate for the real-time operating conditions of a supersonic transport airplane.

Imig, L. A.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Stability of numerical integration techniques for transient rotor dynamics

A finite element model of a rotor bearing system was analyzed to determine the stability limits of the forward, backward, and centered Euler; Runge-Kutta; Milne; and Adams numerical integration techniques. The analysis concludes that the highest frequency mode determines the maximum time step for a stable solution. Thus, the number of mass elements should be minimized. Increasing the damping can sometimes cause numerical instability. For a uniform shaft, with 10 mass elements, operating at approximately the first critical speed, the maximum time step for the Runge-Kutta, Milne, and Adams methods is that which corresponds to approximately 1 degree of shaft movement. This is independent of rotor dimensions.

Kascak, A. F.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Study of metallic structural design concepts for an arrow wing supersonic cruise configuration

A structural design study was made, to assess the relative merits of various metallic structural concepts and materials for an advanced supersonic aircraft cruising at Mach 2.7. Preliminary studies were made to ensure compliance of the configuration with general design criteria, integrate the propulsion system with the airframe, select structural concepts and materials, and define an efficient structural arrangement. An advanced computerized structural design system was used, in conjunction with a relatively large, complex finite element model, for detailed analysis and sizing of structural members to satisfy strength and flutter criteria. A baseline aircraft design was developed for assessment of current technology. Criteria, analysis methods, and results are presented. The effect on design methods of using the computerized structural design system was appraised, and recommendations are presented concerning further development of design tools, development of materials and structural concepts, and research on basic technology.

Turner, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Stress-Intensity Factors for Corner Cracks at the Edge of a Hole

Stress-intensity factors, calculated by a three-dimensional finite-element analysis, for shallow or deep quarter-elliptical corner cracks at the edge of a hole in a finite-thickness plate are presented. The plate was subjected to remote uniform tension, remote bending, or simulated pin loading in the hole. The crack depth-to-plate thickness ranged from 0.2 to 0.8, while the ratio of crack depth-to-plate crack length ranged from 0.2 to 2. The ratio of hole radius-to-plate thickness was held at 0.5. To verify the accuracy of the three-dimensional finite-element models empolyed, convergence studies were conducted (number of degrees of freedom ranged from 4400 to 9300). The stress-intensity factor variations along the crack front are presented and compared with other solutions from the literature.

Raju, I. S.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Hamilton's principle - Finite-element methods and flexible body dynamics

A variational formulation is given for the equations of motion for an unconstrained elastic body, and Hamilton's principle is used to derive the equations of motion and deformation of the body. Finite-element approximations are developed for these dynamical equations with respect to a body axis system satisfying the mean axis conditions. The free-body influence matrix for the body then is developed in terms of the finite-element model parameters.

Cavin, R. K., III↗

NASA NTRS1978

Finite element solution for beams using an element averaging technique

The article investigates the error in the computation of natural frequency through finite element models of the structures when elements of unequal length are chosen and then goes on to suggest an averaging technique for unequal length elements, with different structural properties. Using the element averaging technique, a typical structure has been analysed for its natural frequencies and the results are described.

Bhat, B. R.↗