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At least 163 records · Page 9

Validation and Analysis of SRTM and VCL Data Over Tropical Volcanoes

The focus of our investigation was on the application of digital topographic data in conducting first-order volcanological and structural studies of tropical volcanoes, focusing on the Java, the Philippines and the Galapagos Islands. Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, served as our test site for SRTM data validation. Volcanoes in humid tropical environments are frequently cloud covered, typically densely vegetated and erode rapidly, so that it was expected that new insights into the styles of eruption of these volcanoes could be obtained from analysis of topographic data. For instance, in certain parts of the world, such as Indonesia, even the regional structural context of volcanic centers is poorly known, and the distribution of volcanic products (e.g., lava flows, pyroclastic flows, and lahars) are not well mapped. SRTM and Vegetation Canopy Lidar (VCL) data were expected to provide new information on these volcanoes. Due to the cancellation of the VCL mission, we did not conduct any lidar studies during the duration of this project. Digital elevation models (DEMs) such as those collected by SRTM provide quantitative information about the time-integrated typical activity on a volcano and allow an assessment of the spatial and temporal contributions of various constructional and destructional processes to each volcano's present morphology. For basaltic volcanoes, P_c?w!m-d and Garbed (2000) have shown that gradual slopes (less than 5 deg.) occur where lava and tephra pond within calderas or in the saddles between adjacent volcanoes, as well as where lava deltas coalesce to form coastal plains. Vent concentration zones (axes of rift zones) have slopes ranging from 10 deg. to 12 deg. Differential vertical growth rates between vent concentration zones and adjacent mostly-lava flanks produce steep constructional slopes up to 40". The steepest slopes (locally approaching 90 deg.) are produced by fluvial erosion, caldera collapse, faulting, and catastrophic avalanches, all of which are usually identifiable. Due to the delay in the release of the SRTM data following the February 2000 flight, a significant part of our effort was devoted to the analog studies of the SRTM topographic data using topographic data from airborne interferometric radars. As part of the original SRTM Science Team, we proposed four study sites (Kilauea, Hawaii; Mt. Pinatubo, Philippines; Cerro Am1 and Femandina volcanoes, Galapagos Islands; and Tengger caldera, Java) where we could conduct detailed geologic studies to evaluate the uses of SRTM data for the analysis of lava flows, lahars, erosion of ash deposits, and an evaluation of the structural setting of the volcanoes. Only near the end of this project was one of these SRTM Science Team products (Luzon Island, the Philippines) released to the community, and we only had limited time to work on these data.

Mouginis-Mark, Peter J.↗

Utilization of UARS Data in Validation of Photochemical and Dynamical Mechanism in Stratospheric Models

We proposed model-data intercomparison studies for UARS data. In the past three months, we have been working on constructing analysis tools to diagnose the UARS data. The 'Trajectory mapping' technique, which was developed by Morris (1994), is adaptable to generate synoptic maps of trace gas data from asynoptic observations. An in-house trajectory model (kinematic methods following Merrill et al., 1986 and Pickering et al., 1994) has been developed in AER under contract with NASA/ACMAP and the trajectory mapping tool has been applied to analyze UARS measurement.

Rodriquez, Jose M.↗

TESS Data Release Notes: Sector 21 DR 29

These Data Release Notes provide information on the processing and export of data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The data products included in this data release are full frame images (FFIs), target pixel les, light curve les, collateral pixel les, cotrending basis vectors (CBVs), and Data Validation (DV) reports, time series, and associated xml les. These data products were generated by the TESS Science Processing Operations Center (SPOC, Jenkins et al., 2016) at NASA Ames Research Center from data collected by the TESS instrument, which is managed by the TESS Payload Operations Center (POC) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The format and content of these data products are documented in the Science Data Products Description Document (SDPDD)1. The SPOC science algorithms are based heavily on those of the Kepler Mission science pipeline, and are described in the Kepler Data Processing Handbook (Jenkins, 2017).2 The Data Validation algorithms are documented in Twicken et al. (2018) and Li et al. (2019). The TESS Instrument Handbook (Vanderspek et al., 2018) contains more information about the TESS instrument design, detector layout, data properties, and mission operations. The TESS Mission is funded by NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

Michael M. Fausnaugh↗

Review of Experimental Data for Validating Computer Codes Used in Shielding Calculations for Spent Fuel Storage and Transportation Systems

This report presents a review of available radiochemical assay data and shielding benchmarks applicable to spent nuclear fuel (SNF) shielding calculations. The relevant information reviewed herein includes the Spent Fuel Composition (SFCOMPO) database, the Shielding Integral Benchmark Archive and Database (SINBAD), the International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments, and published measurements of external dose rates of casks loaded with SNF. The relevant experimental data identified in this report may be used to support verification and validation of computer codes used in SNF cask/transport shielding applications, as well as development of calculation uncertainties. It should be noted that a relatively small subset of the identified experimental data (e.g., criticality alarm experiments) is available in a standard format established by the international community participating in experimental isotopic and shielding data evaluations. An effort of the SFCOMPO Technical Review Group (TRG) is underway to publish first isotopic evaluations of individual assay data using a standard data evaluation format. The SINBAD TRG has recently initiated benchmark evaluations and modernization of the database. Therefore, more relevant information is expected in the future that will enable users to select quality experimental data in depletion code and shielding code validations for SNF applications.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Experience with Aero- and Fluid-Dynamic Testing for Engineering and CFD Validation

Ever since computations have been used to simulate aerodynamics the need to ensure that the computations adequately represent real life has followed. Many experiments have been performed specifically for validation and as computational methods have improved, so have the validation experiments. Validation is also a moving target because computational methods improve requiring validation for the new aspect of flow physics that the computations aim to capture. Concurrently, new measurement techniques are being developed that can help capture more detailed flow features pressure sensitive paint (PSP) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) come to mind. This paper will present various wind-tunnel tests the author has been involved with and how they were used for validation of various kinds of CFD. A particular focus is the application of advanced measurement techniques to flow fields (and geometries) that had proven to be difficult to predict computationally. Many of these difficult flow problems arose from engineering and development problems that needed to be solved for a particular vehicle or research program. In some cases the experiments required to solve the engineering problems were refined to provide valuable CFD validation data in addition to the primary engineering data. All of these experiments have provided physical insight and validation data for a wide range of aerodynamic and acoustic phenomena for vehicles ranging from tractor-trailers to crewed spacecraft.

experiment↗

TESS Data Release Notes: Sector 24, DR35

These Data Release Notes provide information on the processing and export of data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The data products included in this data release are full frame images (FFIs), target pixel fi les, light curve fi les, collateral pixel fi les, cotrending basis vectors (CBVs), and Data Validation (DV) reports, time series, and associated xml fi les. These data products were generated by the TESS Science Processing Operations Center (SPOC, Jenkins et al., 2016) at NASA Ames Research Center from data collected by the TESS instrument, which is managed by the TESS Payload Operations Center (POC) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The format and content of these data products are documented in the Science Data Products Description Document (SDPDD). The SPOC science algorithms are based heavily on those of the Kepler Mission science pipeline, and are described in the Kepler Data Processing Handbook (Jenkins, 2019).2 The Data Validation algorithms are documented in Twicken et al. (2018) and Li et al. (2019). The TESS Instrument Handbook (Vanderspek et al., 2018) contains more information about the TESS instrument design, detector layout, data properties, and mission operations. The TESS Mission is funded by NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

TESS↗

Flow Duct Data for Validation of Acoustic Liner Codes for Impedance Eduction

The objective of the study reported here was to acquire acoustic and flow data with hard and lined duct wall duct sections for validation of a liner prediction code being developed at NASA LaRC. Both the mean flowfield and acoustic flowfields were determined in a cross-plane of the rectangular duct. A flow duct facility with acoustic drivers connected to a rectangular (4.7 x 2.0 inch) source section and a linear acoustic liner mounted downstream of the source section was used in this study. The liner section was designed to allow liner materials to be placed on all 4 walls of the duct. The test liner was of the locally-reacting type and was made from a ceramic material. The material, consisting of a tubular structure, was provided by NASA LaRC. The liner was approximately 8.89 cm (3.5 inches) thick. For the current study, only the two "short" sides of the duct were lined with liner material. The other two sides were hard walls. Two especially built instrumentation sections were attached on either sides of the liner section to allow acoustic and flow measurements to be made upstream and downstream of the liner. The two instrumentation duct sections were built to allow measurement of acoustic and flow properties at planes perpendicular to flow upstream and downstream of the liner section. The instrumentation section was also designed to provide a streamwise gradient in acoustic (complex) pressure from which the acoustic particle velocity, needed for the model validation, can be computed. Flow measurements included pressure, temperature, and velocity profiles upstream of the liner section. The in-flow sound pressure levels and phases were obtained with a microphone probe equipped with a nose cone in two cross planes upstream of the liner and two cross plane downstream of the liner. In addition to the acoustic measurements at the cross planes. axial centerline acoustic data was acquired using an axially traversing microphone probe which was traversed from a location upstream of the liner to some distance downstream of the liner. All probes used here had to be calibrated with respect to a standard microphone equipped with a nose cone to allow for the effects of flow.

Ahuja, K. K.↗

Assessment of NASA Airborne Laser Altimetry Data Using Ground-Based GPS Data near Summit Station, Greenland

A series of NASA airborne lidars have been used in support of satellite laser altimetry missions. These airbornelaser altimeters have been deployed for satellite instrument development, for spaceborne data validation, and to bridge the data gap between satellite missions. We used data from ground-based Global Positioning System (GPS) surveys of an 11 km long track near Summit Station, Greenland, to assess the surface elevation bias and measurement precision of three airborne laser altimeters including the Airborne Topographic Mapper (ATM), the Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor (LVIS), and the Multiple Altimeter Beam Experimental Lidar (MABEL). Ground-based GPS data from the monthly ground-based traverses, which commenced in 2006, allowed for the assessment of nine airborne lidar surveys associated with ATM and LVIS between 2007 and 2016. Surface elevation biases for these altimeters over the flat, ice-sheet interior are less than 0.12 m, while assessments of measurement precision are 0.09 m or better. Ground-based GPS positions determined both with and without differential post-processing techniques provided internally consistent solutions. Results from the analyses of ground-based and airborne data provide validation strategy guidance for the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite 2 (ICESat-2) elevation and elevation-change data products.

Summit Station↗

Effects of cavity dimensions, boundary layer, and temperature on cavity noise with emphasis on benchmark data to validate computational aeroacoustic codes

This report documents the results of an experimental investigation on the response of a cavity to external flowfields. The primary objective of this research was to acquire benchmark of data on the effects of cavity length, width, depth, upstream boundary layer, and flow temperature on cavity noise. These data were to be used for validation of computational aeroacoustic (CAA) codes on cavity noise. To achieve this objective, a systematic set of acoustic and flow measurements were made for subsonic turbulent flows approaching a cavity. These measurements were conducted in the research facilities of the Georgia Tech research institute. Two cavity models were designed, one for heated flow and another for unheated flow studies. Both models were designed such that the cavity length (L) could easily be varied while holding fixed the depth (D) and width (W) dimensions of the cavity. Depth and width blocks were manufactured so that these dimensions could be varied as well. A wall jet issuing from a rectangular nozzle was used to simulate flows over the cavity.

Ahuja, K. K.↗

Open Source Evaluation Framework for Solar Forecasting

The Solar Forecast Arbiter is an open-source evaluation framework for solar forecasting. The framework enables evaluations of solar irradiance, solar power, and net-load forecasts that are impartial, repeatable and auditable. The Solar Forecast Arbiter addresses stakeholder-informed use cases including evaluation of forecast skill, comparisons to reference data sets, private forecast trials, and evaluation of probabilistic forecast skill. The framework includes a data validation toolkit, reference data sources, data privacy protocols, and benchmark forecast capabilities for intra-hour and day ahead forecast horizons. Reports and metrics communicate the relative merits of the test and benchmark forecasts. The reports are created from standardized templates and include graphics for qualitatively evaluating deterministic and probabilistic forecasts and standard metrics for quantitatively evaluating forecasts. The Solar Forecast Arbiter is designed to support all solar forecasting stakeholders, including Solar Forecasting 2 Topic Area 2 and Topic Area 3 teams.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

12 Inch Fan Acoustic Research

There were three general purposes of this research; first, to investigate fundamental fan acoustic processes, second, to produce high quality data for the validation of aeroacoustic codes and, third, to investigate candidate noise control concepts. These were all to be investigated using the NASA built and supplied 12 inch fan which is a 0.1 scale model of a modem ultra high bypass fan. NASA also supplied the test environments, wind tunnel entries in the 14 by 22 Foot Subsonic Wind Tunnel and the Anechoic Noise Research Facility. To fulfill the purposes of the grant, investigations were performed in several general topics. In the area of fundamental fan studies, some of the topics involved were azimuthal directivity and tip clearance effects. In the area of high quality validation data significant parameter studies in the wind tunnel tests were performed. And in the area of noise control concepts, heated air injection was studied. The principal investigator performed the work on this grant by leading the concept development, design, planning, data analysis and reporting of the areas studied. The final report for this grant consists of a listing, which follows, of all reports, presentations, and publications that were made for the work done during the performance period.

Thomas, R. H.↗

Low-Speed Testing of the 5.2% Semispan CRM-HL in the DNW-NWB Wind Tunnel

In this paper the wind tunnel test of the 5.2% CRM-HL in the DNW-NWB low speed wind tunnel is described. The tunnel test campaign is settled in the DLR project ADaMant, in which it is of interest to generate qualitative data for CFD validation to improve the predictive accuracy, efficiency, and usability of physical modeling in CFD codes at the borders of the flight envelope. Different configurations of the CRM-HL were tested in a closed as well as in an open test section of the wind tunnel. Several measurement techniques were used to generate validation data including forces and moments, pressures, flow visualization with tufts and oil painting, and infrared thermography for boundary layer transition detection. The evaluation of the results focuses on these techniques in the closed test section. The test comprises Mach numbers from 0.15 to 0.23 and Reynolds numbers from 1.2x10 6 to 1.2x10 6 . Some results are also compared to data from the NASA Langley Research Center 14x22 Foot wind tunnel to assess the repeatability of measurements of the same model in different wind tunnels.

DLR↗

Loosely Conditioned Emulation of Global Climate Models With Generative Adversarial Networks

Climate models encapsulate our best understanding of the Earth system, allowing research to be conducted on its future under alternative assumptions of how human-driven climate forces are going to evolve. An important application of climate models is to provide metrics of mean and extreme climate changes, particularly under these alternative future scenarios, as these quantities drive the impacts of climate on society and natural systems. Because of the need to explore a wide range of alternative scenarios and other sources of uncertainties in a computationally efficient manner, climate models can only take us so far, as they require significant computational resources, especially when attempting to characterize extreme events, which are rare and thus demand long and numerous simulations in order to accurately represent their changing statistics. Here we use deep learning in a proof of concept that lays the foundation for emulating global climate model output for different scenarios. We train two "loosely conditioned" Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) that emulate daily precipitation output from a fully coupled Earth system model: one GAN modeling Fall-Winter behavior and the other Spring-Summer. Our GANs are trained to produce spatiotemporal samples: 32 days of precipitation over a 64x128 regular grid discretizing the globe. We evaluate the generator with a set of related performance metrics based upon KL divergence, and find the generated samples to be nearly as well matched to the test data as the validation data is to test. We also find the generated samples to accurately estimate the mean number of dry days and mean longest dry spell in the 32 day samples. Our trained GANs can rapidly generate numerous realizations at a vastly reduced computational expense, compared to large ensembles of climate models, which greatly aids in estimating the statistics of extreme events.

climate emulation, extreme climate, impacts, machi↗

Preliminary Design of a New Pulsed-Neutron Die--Away Experiments with Absorbers (IER-552 CED-1)

This report presents the preliminary design (CED-1) of IER-552, pulsed-neutron die-away (PNDA) experiments with absorbers, to be conducted by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The goal of the PNDA experiments with absorbing materials is to produce high-quality, low-cost integral benchmarks that can be used to validate cross sections that are high priority nuclear data for the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP). PNDA experiments can be used to generate nuclear data validation benchmarks quickly and cheaply, as they do not require fissile material or a nuclear facility to conduct them. The original PNDA experiments were set up at LLNL under IER-501. Extending the PNDA experiments to include absorbing materials leverages existing facilities and resources at LLNL to validate cross sections, with a basic experiment design that uses a neutron generator to impinge a short, mono-energetic neutron pulse on a poisoned, moderating target sample. The neutron pulse lasts 100 µs, after which the neutron population in the sample reaches thermal equilibrium and later spatial equilibrium. In this fully equilibrized state, the neutron population has a characteristic decay-time eigenvalue. The eigenvalue can be used as an integral parameter to validate nuclear data involved with neutron scattering and absorption. Two observables can be measured: the neutron population and the population of secondary γ-rays produced by inelastic and capture reactions. This report explores the feasibility of both approaches. For γ-ray measurements, this allows for direct measurement of reactions of interest for validation. During the neutron burst time, inelastic (prompt) γ-rays dominate, and these data can be isolated for validation of neutron inelastic scattering data. After the pulse ends, neutron capture (delayed) γ-rays dominate and are produced by many reaction channels as neutrons slow down to thermal energies. Two sets of γ-ray spectra (inelastic, capture) can be produced for validation. Additionally, the time-dependent decay of the capture γ-ray population when the neutron population is thermalized and in its fundamental mode can be used for validation. Two experiments can be imagined where pulsed neutrons are used to validate the nuclear data of absorbing materials. The first integrates well into the existing PNDA testbed at LLNL. The absorber material would be introduced into a moderating target and the same neutron generator, neutron detectors, electronics, and shielding box used for IER-501 would be employed. From the same experimental setup, many absorbing materials can be validated by simply changing the neutron poison in the moderator. The only significant modification would be the introduction of a γ-ray detector. Such an experiment would primarily serve to validate nuclear data in the thermal energy range. The second kind of experiment would validate the fast and epithermal energy range. It would involve pulsing neutron into a bare assembly of the absorber material and measuring the die-away of neutrons. The fast leakage of such an assembly requires nanosecond neutron-generator pulse widths and fast detectors/electronics that could measure ~200 ns die-away curves. This kind of experiment would ideally be performed at a cyclotron, like that available at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

CFD validation experiments for hypersonic flows

A roadmap for CFD code validation is introduced. The elements of the roadmap are consistent with air-breathing vehicle design requirements and related to the important flow path components: forebody, inlet, combustor, and nozzle. Building block and benchmark validation experiments are identified along with their test conditions and measurements. Based on an evaluation criteria, recommendations for an initial CFD validation data base are given and gaps identified where future experiments could provide new validation data.

Marvin, Joseph G.↗

A CFD validation roadmap for hypersonic flows

A roadmap for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code validation is developed. The elements of the roadmap are consistent with air-breathing vehicle design requirements and related to the important flow path components: forebody, inlet, combustor, and nozzle. Building block and benchmark validation experiments are identified along with their test conditions and measurements. Based on an evaluation criteria, recommendations for an initial CFD validation data base are given and gaps identified where future experiments would provide the needed validation data.

Marvin, Joseph G.↗

A CFD validation roadmap for hypersonic flows

A roadmap for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code validation is developed. The elements of the roadmap are consistent with air-breathing vehicle design requirements and related to the important flow path components: forebody, inlet, combustor, and nozzle. Building block and benchmark validation experiments are identified along with their test conditions and measurements. Based on an evaluation criteria, recommendations for an initial CFD validation data base are given and gaps identified where future experiments would provide the needed validation data.

Marvin, Joseph G.↗