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At least 1,765 records · Page 98
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2012

Correlation Results for a Mass Loaded Vehicle Panel Test Article Finite Element Models and Modal Survey Tests

High-fidelity Finite Element Models (FEMs) were developed to support a recent test program at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The FEMs correspond to test articles used for a series of acoustic tests. Modal survey tests were used to validate the FEMs for five acoustic tests (a bare panel and four different mass-loaded panel configurations). An additional modal survey test was performed on the empty test fixture (orthogrid panel mounting fixture, between the reverb and anechoic chambers). Modal survey tests were used to test-validate the dynamic characteristics of FEMs used for acoustic test excitation. Modal survey testing and subsequent model correlation has validated the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the FEMs. The modal survey test results provide a basis for the analysis models used for acoustic loading response test and analysis comparisons

Maasha, Rumaasha↗
NASA NTRS1992

Composite Stiffened Panels: Part I - Stiffness, Thermal Expansion, and Thermal Bending Formulation for Finite Element Analysis

A method is presented for formulating stiffness terms and thermal coefficients of fiber-reinforced composite, stiffened panels for input to finite element analysis (FEA). The method is robust enough to handle panels with general cross sectional shapes, including those which are unsymmetric and/or unbalanced. New thermal coefficients are introduced to quantify panel response from through-the-thickness temperature gradients. Equations are defined for stiffness, thermal expansion, and thermal bending that consider the full complement of membrane, bending, membrane-bending coupling, and transverse shear behavior. A technique of implementing this capability with a single plane of shell finite elements using the MSC/NASTRAN(TradeMark) FEA program is revealed. Finally, an example of a composite, hat-stiffened panel is included to demonstrate errors that occur when an unsymmetric panel is symmetrically formulated as traditionally done. These erroneous values and the correct ones produced from the presented method are listed for the panel's stiffness matrices, thermal expansion and bending vectors, and the forces and moments that are thermally induced from in-plane and through-the-thickness temperature gradients.

Craig S Collier↗
NASA NTRS2022

Shape Servoing of Deformable Objects using Adaptive Deformation Model Estimation

In this paper, we propose an adaptive shape servoing method to deform a soft object into a desired 3-D shape. The high dimensional representation and the unknown deformation properties of the soft object pose a challenge to actively manipulate its shape. To address this issue, we develop a method to compute the deformation Jacobian matrix in real-time. The Jacobian is estimated using a set of basis functions and its corresponding parameters to capture the dynamics of the system and relate the applied input motion to changes in the soft object's shape. An integral concurrent learning (ICL) based adaptive update law is derived using Lyapunov analysis to estimate the deformation parameters and prove its convergence. A physics-based simulation is used to validate the proposed method and controller by performing manipulation tasks with different desired configurations. The performance is compared with a standard gradient update law to demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of our approach.

Vrithik Raj Guthikonda↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ultrasonic Testing (UT) Reference Standard for Additive Manufacturing Quality Control

Many additive manufacturing (AM) reference standards for build quality verification concentrate primarily on external features. In contrast, EPRI proposes a pair of AM reference blocks that feature only internal and embedded forms. This report presents, collates, and discusses quantitative nondestructive evaluation (NDE) results from various techniques, including visual testing (VT), radiographic testing (RT), conventional ultrasonic testing (UT), and full matrix capture/total focusing method (FMC/TFM) scanning. The blocks are intended, as part of a larger series of blocks, to evaluate build quality and the relative performance of different NDE techniques in detecting various features. The limits of detectability and the closeness of the as-built shape to the intended form for certain features are quantified, facilitating direct comparison. Upon analysis of the results of this testing, it was found that FMC/TFM was consistently superior in detection, followed by conventional UT, then VT, and lastly RT.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

End-Use Savings Shapes Upgrade Package Documentation: LED Lighting, HP-RTU and ASHP-Boiler

Building on the successfully completed effort to calibrate and validate the U.S. Department of Energy's ResStock and ComStock models over the past 3 years, the objective of this work is to produce national data sets that empower analysts working for federal, state, utility, city, and manufacturer stakeholders to answer a broad range of analysis questions. The goal of this work is to develop energy efficiency, electrification, and demand flexibility end-use load shapes (electricity, gas, propane, or fuel oil) that cover a majority of the high-impact, market-ready (or nearly market-ready) upgrade measures, or upgrades. "Measures" refers to energy efficiency variables that can be applied to buildings during modeling. An end-use savings shape is the difference in energy consumption between a baseline building and a building with an energy efficiency, electrification, or demand flexibility upgrade applied. It results in a time-series profile that is broken down by end use and fuel (electricity or on-site gas, propane, or fuel oil use) at each time step. ComStock is a highly granular, bottom-up model that uses multiple data sources, statistical sampling methods, and advanced building energy simulations to estimate the annual subhourly energy consumption of the commercial building stock across the United States. The baseline model intends to represent the U.S. commercial building stock as it existed in 2018. The methodology and results of the baseline model are discussed in the final technical report of the End-Use Load Profiles project. This documentation focuses on an upgrade package of three end-use savings shapes upgrades - Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lighting, Heat Pump Rooftop Unit (RTU) (HP-RTU), and Air-Source Heat Pump (ASHP) Boiler, which we will refer to collectively as the "Interior Lighting and Heat Pump" package. More details on the individual upgrades can be found on the ComStock Measures Documentation page. An upgrade package applies two or more EUSS upgrades to a single building model simulation. Since ComStock is a bottom-up physics-based model, an upgrade package will go beyond aggregating or summing the individual upgrade results and produce novel results by simulating interactions between the upgrades. For example, pairing an envelope upgrade with an electrification upgrade would likely result in higher savings results than the sum of these upgrades individually, and the size of the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment may be reduced if the envelope upgrade reduces the loads significantly.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Searching for beyond the Standard Model physics using the improved description of 100 Mo $2\nu \beta \beta$ decay spectral shape with CUPID-Mo

The current experiments searching for neutrinoless double-β ($0\nu \beta \beta$) decay also collect large statistics of Standard Model allowed two-neutrino double-β ($2\nu \beta \beta$ ) decay events. These can be used to search for Beyond Standard Model (BSM) physics via $2\nu \beta \beta$ decay spectral distortions. 100 Mo has a natural advantage due to its relatively short half-life, allowing higher $2\nu \beta \beta$ decay statistics at equal exposures compared to the other isotopes. We demonstrate the potential of the dual read-out bolometric technique exploiting a 100 Mo exposure of 1.47 kg years, acquired in the CUPID-Mo experiment at the Modane underground laboratory (France). We set limits on $0\nu \beta \beta$ decays with the emission of one or more Majorons, on $2\nu \beta \beta$ decay with Lorentz violation, and $2\nu \beta \beta$ decay with a sterile neutrino emission. In this analysis, we investigate the systematic uncertainty induced by modeling the $2\nu \beta \beta$ decay spectral shape parameterized through an improved model, an effect never considered before. This work motivates searches for BSM processes in the upcoming CUPID experiment, which will collect the largest amount of $2\nu \beta \beta$ decay events among the next-generation experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1980

Otoconial formation in the fetal rat

Otoconial formation in the fetal rat is examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and by X-ray elemental analysis. The primitive otoconia appear highly organic, but are trigonal in cross section, indicating that they already possess a three-fold axis of symmetry and a complement of calcite. These otoconia develop into spindle-shaped and, subsequently, dumbbell-shaped units. Transmission electron microscopy of dumbbell-shaped otoconia not exposed to fluids during embedment showed that calcite deposits mimicked the arrangement of the organic material. X-ray elemental analysis demonstrated that calcium was present in lower quantities in the central core than peripherally. It is concluded that organic material is essential to otoconial seeding and directs otoconial growth.

Salamat, M. S.↗
DOE OSTI2023

End-Use Savings Shapes Measure Documentation: Variable Refrigerant Flow with Heat Recovery and Dedicated Outdoor Air System

Building on the successfully completed effort to calibrate and validate the U.S. Department of Energy's ResStock™ and ComStock™ models over the past 3 years, the objective of this work is to produce national data sets that empower analysts working for federal, state, utility, city, and manufacturer stakeholders to answer a broad range of analysis questions. The goal of this work is to develop energy efficiency, electrification, and demand flexibility end-use load shapes (electricity, gas, propane, or fuel oil) that cover a majority of the high-impact, market-ready (or nearly market-ready) measures. "Measures" refers to energy efficiency variables that can be applied to buildings during modeling. An end-use savings shape is the difference in energy consumption between a baseline building and a building with an energy efficiency, electrification, or demand flexibility measure applied. It results in a time-series profile that is broken down by end use and fuel (electricity or on-site gas, propane, or fuel oil use) at each time step. ComStock is a highly granular, bottom-up model that uses multiple data sources, statistical sampling methods, and advanced building energy simulations to estimate the annual subhourly energy consumption of the commercial building stock across the United States. The baseline model intends to represent the U.S. commercial building stock as it existed in 2018. The methodology and results of the baseline model are discussed in the final technical report of the End-Use Load Profiles project. This documentation focuses on a single heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) end-use savings shape measure - a variable refrigerant flow with heat recovery (VRF HR) heating and cooling system coupled with a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) for ventilation. This measure replaces existing multi-zone variable air volume (VAV) systems or single-zone rooftop units (RTU) with a VRF HR system coupled with a DOAS that includes an energy/heat recovery ventilator (E/HRV). The measure covers 53% of exisiting building stock's floor area and is not applicable to HVAC system types using district heating or cooling or buildings/spaces that include high-ventilation spaces such as kitchens where the amount of exhaust air is large. A DOAS with E/HRV is used to provide required outdoor ventilation air to spaces since ventilation air is generally not supplied by a VRF HR system. An exhaust air energy recovery ventilator (ERV ) with sensible and latent heat exchange is added to humid climate zones while a heat recovery ventilator (HRV ) with sensible only exchange is added to drier climate zones. The ERV is modeled as a fixed membrane plate counterflow heat exchanger, while the HRV is modeled as a sensible-only fixed aluminum plate counterflow heat exchanger. Both systems include a bypass (for temperature control and economizer lockout) and minimum exhaust temperature control for frost prevention.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2017

Systematic Biases in Weak Lensing Cosmology with the Dark Energy Survey

This thesis sets out a practical guide to applying shear measurements as a cosmological tool. We first present one of two science-ready galaxy shape catalogues from Year 1 of the Dark Energy Survey (DES Y1), which covers 1500 square degrees in four bands $griz$, with a median redshift of $0.59$. We describe the shape measurement process implemented by the DES Y1 imshape catalogue, which contains 21.9 million high-quality $r$-band bulge/disc fits. In Chapter 3 a new suite of image simulations, referred to as Hoopoe, are presented. The Hoopoe dataset is tailored to DES Y1 and includes realistic blending, spatial masks and variation in the point spread function. We derive shear corrections, which we show are robust to changes in calibration method, galaxy binning and variance within the simulated dataset. Sources of systematic uncertainty in the simulation-based shear calibration are discussed, leading to a final estimate of the $1\sigma$ uncertainties in the residual multiplica tive bias after calibration of 0.025. Chapter 4 describes an extension of the analysis on the Hoopoe simulations into a detailed investigation of the impact of galaxy neighbours on shape measurement and shear cosmology. Four mechanisms by which neighbours can have a non-negligible influence on shear measurement are identified. These effects, if ignored, would contribute a net multiplicative bias of $m \sim 0.03 - 0.09$ in DES Y1, though the precise impact will depend on both the measurement code and the selection cuts applied. We use the cosmological inference pipeline of DES Y1 to explore the cosmological implications of neighbour bias and show that omitting blending from the calibration simulation for DES Y1 would bias the inferred clustering amplitude $S_8 \equiv \sigma_8 (\omegam /0.3)^{0.5}$ by $1.5 \sigma$ towards low values. Finally, we use the Hoopoe simulations to test the effect of neighbour-induced spatial correlations in the multiplicative bias. We find the cosmo logical impact to be subdominant to statistical error at the! current level of precision. Another major uncertainity in shear cosmology is the accuracy of our ensemble redshift distributions. Chapter 5 presents a numerical investigation into the combined constraining power of cosmic shear, galaxy clustering and their cross-correlation in DES Y1, and the potential for internal calibration of redshift errors. Introducing a moderate uniform bias into the redshift distributions used to model the weak lensing (WL) galaxies is shown to produce a $> 2\sigma$ bias in $S_8$. We demonstrate that this cosmological bias can be eliminated by marginalising over redshift error nuisance parameters. Strikingly, the cosmological constraint of the combined dataset is largely undiminished by the loss of prior information on the WL distributions. We demonstrate that this implicit self-calibration is the result of complementary degeneracy directions in the combined data. In Chapter 6 we present the preliminary results of an investigation into galaxy intrin sic alignments. Using the DES Y1 data, we show a clear dependence in alignment amplitude on galaxy type, in agreement with previous results. We subject these findings to a series of initial robustness tests. We conclude with a short overview of the work presented, and discuss prospects for the future.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1979

Influence of interface on composite failure

The influence of the interface on the composite system behavior is investigated by analytical modeling. The stress analysis is based on the two-dimensional finite element procedure in which twelve-node isoparametric elements with cubic shape functions are used. The location of possible failure sites is predicted by the strain energy density (SED) failure theory which assumes failure to coincide with locations of minimum SED while the locations of maximum SED correspond to regions of excessive distortion or yielding. The results of the analysis show that the way in which the modulus of elasticity varies within the interface is as important in modeling as the average interface modulus.

Sih, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS2006

In-Space Radiator Shape Optimization using Genetic Algorithms

Future space exploration missions will require the development of more advanced in-space radiators. These radiators should be highly efficient and lightweight, deployable heat rejection systems. Typical radiators for in-space heat mitigation commonly comprise a substantial portion of the total vehicle mass. A small mass savings of even 5-10% can greatly improve vehicle performance. The objective of this paper is to present the development of detailed tools for the analysis and design of in-space radiators using evolutionary computation techniques. The optimality criterion is defined as a two-dimensional radiator with a shape demonstrating the smallest mass for the greatest overall heat transfer, thus the end result is a set of highly functional radiator designs. This cross-disciplinary work combines topology optimization and thermal analysis design by means of a genetic algorithm The proposed design tool consists of the following steps; design parameterization based on the exterior boundary of the radiator, objective function definition (mass minimization and heat loss maximization), objective function evaluation via finite element analysis (thermal radiation analysis) and optimization based on evolutionary algorithms. The radiator design problem is defined as follows: the input force is a driving temperature and the output reaction is heat loss. Appropriate modeling of the space environment is added to capture its effect on the radiator. The design parameters chosen for this radiator shape optimization problem fall into two classes, variable height along the width of the radiator and a spline curve defining the -material boundary of the radiator. The implementation of multiple design parameter schemes allows the user to have more confidence in the radiator optimization tool upon demonstration of convergence between the two design parameter schemes. This tool easily allows the user to manipulate the driving temperature regions thus permitting detailed design of in-space radiators for unique situations. Preliminary results indicate an optimized shape following that of the temperature distribution regions in the "cooler" portions of the radiator. The results closely follow the expected radiator shape.

Hull, Patrick V.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Photospheric Emission in the Joint GBM and Konus Prompt Spectra of GRB 120323A

GRB 120323A is a very intense short gamma -ray burst (GRB) detected simultaneously during its prompt γ -ray emission phase with the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and the Konus experiment on board the Wind satellite. GBM and Konus operate in the keV–MeV regime; however, the GBM range is broader toward both the low and the high parts of the γ -ray spectrum. Analyses of such bright events provide a unique opportunity to check the consistency of the data analysis as well as cross-calibrate the two instruments. We performed time-integrated and coarse time-resolved spectral analysis of GRB 120323A prompt emission. We conclude that the analyses of GBM and Konus data are only consistent when using a double-hump spectral shape for both data sets; in contrast, the single hump of the empirical Band function, traditionally used to fit GRB prompt emission spectra, leads to significant discrepancies between GBM and Konus analysis results. Our two-hump model is a combination of a thermal-like and a non-thermal component. We interpret the first component as a natural manifestation of the jet photospheric emission.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2017

Photospheric Emission in the Joint GBM and Konus Prompt Spectra of GRB 120323A

GRB 120323A is a very intense short gamma-ray burst (GRB) detected simultaneously during its prompt gamma-ray emission phase with the Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor (GBM) on board the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope and the Konus experiment on board the Wind satellite. GBM and Konus operate in the kiloelectronvolt - megaelectronvolt regime; however, the GBM range is broader toward both the low and the high parts of the gamma-ray spectrum. Analyses of such bright events provide a unique opportunity to check the consistency of the data analysis as well as cross-calibrate the two instruments. We performed time-integrated and coarse time-resolved spectral analysis of GRB 120323A prompt emission. We conclude that the analyses of GBM and Konus data are only consistent when using a double-hump spectral shape for both data sets; in contrast, the single hump of the empirical Band function, traditionally used to fit GRB prompt emission spectra, leads to significant discrepancies between GBM and Konus analysis results. Our two-hump model is a combination of a thermal-like and a non-thermal component. We interpret the first component as a natural manifestation of the jet photospheric emission.

Guiriec, S.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Evidence for Ammonia-bearing Species on the Uranian Satellite Ariel Supports Recent Geologic Activity

We investigated whether ammonia-rich constituents are present on the surface of the Uranian moon Ariel by analyzing 32 near-infrared reflectance spectra collected over a wide range of sub-observer longitudes and latitudes. We measured the band areas and depths of a 2.2 μm feature in these spectra, which has been attributed to ammonia-bearing species on other icy bodies. Ten spectra display prominent 2.2 μm features with band areas and depths >2σ. We determined the longitudinal distribution of the 2.2 μm band, finding no statistically meaningful differences between Ariel’s leading and trailing hemispheres, indicating that this band is distributed across Ariel’s surface. We compared the band centers and shapes of the five Ariel spectra displaying the strongest 2.2 μm bands to laboratory spectra of various ammonia-bearing and ammonium-bearing species, finding that the spectral signatures of the Ariel spectra are best matched by ammonia-hydrates and flash frozen ammonia-water solutions. Our analysis also revealed that four Ariel spectra display 2.24 μm bands (>2σ band areas and depths), with band centers and shapes that are best matched by ammonia ice. Because ammonia should be efficiently removed over short timescales by ultraviolet photons, cosmic rays, and charged particles trapped in Uranus’ magnetosphere, the possible presence of this constituent supports geologic activity in the recent past, such as emplacement of ammonia-rich cryolavas and exposure of ammonia-rich deposits by tectonism, impact events, and mass wasting.

Richard J. Cartwright↗
DOE OSTI2018

Impact of Parcel Size, Field Shape, Crop Yield, Storage Location, and Collection Equipment on the Performance of Single-Pass Cut-and-Chip Harvest System in Commercial Shrub Willow Fields

In this paper, an integrated system of harvesting, collecting, and transporting willow biomass crop to a storage site was modeled and evaluated using the IBSAL simulation model. A scenario analysis was used to quantify the impacts of five major input parameters on the performance of the integrated system. These parameters include parcel size, field shape, willow yield, distance to the storage site, and type of the collection equipment. Multiple performance indicators were identified to quantify the impacts on the system such as size of the equipment fleet, effective material and field capacity of the harvester, operating costs, and waiting times. The input data were collected from 36 commercial, short-rotation, shrub willow fields in northern New York State. The simulation results indicated that crop yield and type of collection equipment have the highest impact on operating costs and the equipment fleet size. As the size of equipment fleet increases in the system, variability in the system performance tends to increase. Field shape has the least impact on the overall system performance compared to the other four input parameters. The simulation results suggest that a combination of performance indicators need to be considered to evaluate the overall performance of the dynamic and complex system of harvesting, collection and transportation in commercial willow fields. The developed IBSAL model and scenario analysis approach can assist in planning this system based on the characteristics of field, crop, and logistical equipment to reach a high system performance.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Modeling and Sensitivity Analysis of Sandwich Composite Cylinders with Geometric Imperfections

It is well known that real shell structures can have significantly lower buckling loads and even different mode shapes than the theoretical predictions for perfect structures. Much of this difference can be attributed to geometric and loading imperfections, and geometrically nonlinear effects. The realistic buckling response can be investigated using geometrically nonlinear finite element analyses and including radial imperfections. Such analyses are used in the NASA Engineering and Safety Center Shell Buckling Knockdown Factor Project, which has the goal of developing new analysis-based buckling design recommendations for select classes of cylindrical shell structures under uniaxial compressive load. The approach for modeling several sandwich composite cylinders with two-dimensional general-purpose shell elements and the influence of the element type selection and element size on the buckling load is discussed. The influence of geometric imperfections of various magnitudes on buckling behavior of a sandwich composite cylinder was also investigated.

Structural Modeling↗
NASA NTRS1983

Analysis method for Fourier transform spectroscopy

A fast Fourier transform technique is given for the simulation of those distortion effects in the instrument line shape of the interferometric spectrum that are due to errors in the measured interferogram. The technique is applied to analyses of atmospheric absorption spectra and laboratory spectra. It is shown that the nonlinear least squares method can retrieve the correct information from the distorted spectrum. Analyses of HF absorption spectra obtained in a laboratory and solar CO absorption spectra gathered by a balloon-borne interferometer indicate that the retrieved amount of absorbing gas is less than the correct value in most cases, if the interferogram distortion effects are not included in the analysis.

Park, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Calculation of optimum airfoils using direct solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations

A method has been developed which calculates the optimum airfoil shape at a specified operating condition. The Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with a turbulence model are used as the governing equations for the fluid flow, and are explicitly introduced into the optimization analysis as constraint equations. The locations of all grid points which define the surface of the airfoil are design variables, eliminating the need for shape functions to describe changes in the airfoil geometry. A generalized reduced-gradient method is used to find the optimum airfoil shape. The use of a direct solution technique (Newton's method) to solve the Navier-Stokes equations allows for the efficient solution of the problem. This paper describes the optimization method and presents sample results.

Felker, Fort F.↗