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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.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Temperature distribution in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell as described by finite element analysis

Finite element analysis (FEA) is a powerful tool for numerically solving partial differential equations over complex geometries and is thus useful for analyzing heat transport in laser-heated diamond anvil cell (LHDAC) experiments. Our models expand on previously published simulations by calculating the volume-averaged temperatures of both the sample and insulation/pressure media under steady-state heating to determine the thermal pressure of the hot sample. Our goal is to produce an accurate relationship between the measured surface temperature of the absorbing sample and the temperature of the transparent insulating media, which is used to determine thermal pressure but susceptible to steep temperature gradients. We find that in doing so, our FEA models of temperature within the pressure/insulation media can differ from simplified estimates of temperature gradients by more than a factor of 2. We also explore temperature-dependent and temperature-independent thermal conductivity models and find that the volume-averaged temperatures differ by up to a factor of 1.3, forcing the predicted thermal pressures determined to also differ by up to a factor of 1.5 at a temperature of 2000 K at 50 GPa for neon. Higher temperatures exacerbate this difference. We also find that unintentional asymmetric sample insertion and sample heating, which are common in LHDAC experiments, do not have a first-order effect on volume-averaged temperatures. The FEA models, available in both Python and FlexPDE, are versatile across different sample geometries, materials, and heat source laser shapes.

Farah, Frederick↗
DOE OSTI2025

Parametric Finite Element Analysis of Naturally Corroded Steel Specimens Using 3D Surface Laser Scans

Corrosion is considered a uniform thickness reduction design guideline of the maritime industry. However, additionally, the corroded and irregular morphology of the surface affects the steel's load-bearing capacity and its impact on the strength and elongation behaviour of the steel is not yet fully understood. These effects on the local behaviour of steel structures under tensile loading were investigated with tensile tests on naturally corroded steel specimens and nonlinear finite element simulations including the corroded surface morphology with a uniform surface idealation. The models also include the deformed specimen shape. The developed approach led to highly accurate parametric finite element models predicting the ultimate tensile strength and longitudinal position of fracture. The results show that all included aspects are essential for accurate simulations, while solely the maximum available surface resolution was not as decisive.

corrosion↗
DOE OSTI2023

Machine learning simulation of finite element analysis in augmented reality

Media, method and system for approximating a finite element analysis texture map for an object. To accomplish this, the object is converted to a computer generated model and finite element analysis is performed for a plurality of different simulated inputs to generate a plurality of simulated mappings. Each simulated mapping is converted into a simulated texture map. A machine learning model is trained on the simulated inputs and simulated texture maps to generate a texture map which approximates a finite element analysis. The machine learning model receives a user input and generates the texture map therefrom. The texture map is then wrapped to the object and displayed.

Scherer, Derek Carl↗
DOE OSTI2022

Adaptive time scaling for accelerating explicit finite element analysis

A method for accelerating an explicit finite element analysis (FEA) simulation of a modeled system or process includes performing an initial iteration of the FEA simulation according to a baseline time interval via an FEA computing network, and calculating a criteria ratio of a predetermined set of scaling criteria for the modeled system or process. The method includes determining a time-scaling factor using the criteria ratio via the FEA computing network as a function of the criteria ratio, and then applying the time-scaling factor to the baseline time interval to generate a scaled time interval. The scaled time interval accelerates simulation time of the FEA simulation. The method includes performing a subsequent iteration of the explicit FEA simulation at the scaled time interval using the FEA computing network. The process continues for subsequent iterations, with the time-scaling factor adapting with each iteration.

Chen, Jian↗
DOE OSTI2025

Nuclear Materials Packaging, Transportation, and Systems Analysis Group Software Quality Assurance Plan: ANSYS Mechanical Finite Element Analysis Software Version 2023R1

ANSYS Inc. develops and markets engineering simulation software and services used in the aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, electronics, biomedical, energy, defense, and many other industries. ANSYS is dedicated to engineering simulation and is the world’s leading software provider. ANSYS was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. ANSYS provides an engineering analysis tool combining structural, thermal, computational fluid dynamics, acoustic, and electromagnetic simulation capabilities. ANSYS has two main programs, which use the same solvers: (1) Mechanical APDL (ANSYS Design Parametric Language), a Fortran-based coding platform, and (2) ANSYS Workbench, which uses a graphical user interface to aid in finite element analysis implementation. This plan covers both APDL and Workbench. The ANSYS computer program is a large-scale, multipurpose finite element program that can be used to solve several classes of engineering analyses. The analysis capabilities of ANSYS include the ability to solve static and dynamic structural analyses, steady-state and transient heat transfer problems, mode-frequency and buckling eigenvalue problems, static or time-varying magnetic analyses, and various types of field and coupled-field applications. The program contains many special features that allow nonlinearities or secondary effects such as plasticity, large strain, hyperelasticity, creep, swelling, large deflections, contact, stress stiffening, temperature dependency, material anisotropy, and radiation to be included in the solution. As ANSYS has been developed, other special capabilities such as substructuring, submodeling, random vibration, kinetostatics, kinetodynamics, free convection fluid analysis, acoustics, magnetics, piezoelectrics, coupled-field analysis, and design optimization have been added to the program. These capabilities contribute further to making ANSYS a multipurpose analysis tool for varied engineering disciplines. The ANSYS program has been in commercial use for over 50 years and has been used extensively in the aerospace, automotive, construction, electronic, energy services, manufacturing, nuclear, plastics, oil, and steel industries. Additionally, many consulting firms and hundreds of universities have used ANSYS for analysis, research, and educational purposes. ANSYS is recognized worldwide as one of the most widely used and capable programs of its type. Ansys design analysis software is the first created within a quality system with ISO 9001 certification, the internationally accepted quality standard. Product development, testing, maintenance and support processes also meet the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission's quality requirements, as they have for nearly four decades. The Quality Assurance Service Agreement is suitable for the customers working in the nuclear industry who need to meet specific federal regulations including 10CRF50 Appendix B and provisions of 10CFR21. ANSYS has retained its original International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 accreditation certificate since1995-05-04, It’s current certificate is valid until 2027-05-29.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Comments on “Failure analysis of corroded hydrogen-blended natural gas pipelines based on finite element analysis and genetic algorithm-back propagation neural network” [262 (2025) 111174]

This is a brief commentary paper to highlight and discuss the determination of hydrogen concentration in pipeline steel, effect of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) on the mechanical properties of the material, burst strength of corroded pipelines using finite element analysis (FEA) simulations, and curve-fit models for assessing remaining strength of X80 corroded pipelines for transporting hydrogen blended natural gas. Recently, Xie et al. [1] proposed a methodology to quantify the impact of HE on material properties and numerically determined burst pressure of X80 corroded pipelines. However, their HE quantification overestimated the degradation of tensile strength for hydrogen blending ratios beyond the original data range, and their FEA results of burst pressure are nonconservative. This work thus recharacterized the hydrogen concentration in the steel pipeline and the effect of HE on tensile strength, and then redetermined burst pressures for a set of typical corrosion defect cases considered by Xie et al. [1] based on an experimentally validated FEA modelling method. With the new FEA results, two empirical corrosion models were proposed for X80 corroded pipelines for hydrogen service. At zero hydrogen blending ratio, the novel empirical models predict burst pressures to be consistent with the industry-accepted corrosion models. Furthermore, both the numerical simulation method and the novel corrosion models are significant contributions to the pipeline industry and the hydrogen community. Application of these results will enhance the safety, reliability, and integrity of natural gas pipelines when used to transport hydrogen.

Burst pressure prediction↗
DOE OSTI2022

Simulation and Modeling of Optical Properties of U, Th, Pb, and Co Nanoparticles of Interest to Nuclear Security Using Finite Element Analysis

In this work, the optical characteristics of uranium (U), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), and thorium (Th) nanoparticles are fashioned and simulated employing the finite element analysis (FEA) approach concerning multiple particle sizes. Applying finite element analysis, it was found that the simulated absorption peaks of electronic excitations of nuclear nanoparticles are red-shifted from 365 nm to 555 nm for U; from 355 nm to 550 nm for Pb; from 415 nm to 610 nm for Co; and from 350 nm to 540 nm for Th, comparing expanding particle sizes from 60 nm to 100 nm (except for Co, which varied from 70 nm to 100 nm). The FEA-simulated optical band gap energies and far-field radiation patterns were also obtained for nuclear materials. The simulation approach in this research enables the prediction of optical properties and design of nuclear materials before manufacture for nuclear security applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

TPOT Support Structure Finite Element Analysis

This paper is a discussion of the results of finite element analysis (FEA) of the TPOT detector support frame. The analysis of the complete support frame is discussed in section 5. Earlier sections are used to verify assumptions in the model. The maximum deflection of the full support frame is 20.04mm if pinned boundary conditions are assumed at each end of the 80/20 beams. The maximum deflection of the support frame is 7.09mm assuming fixed connections at the ends of the 80/20 beams.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Finite element analysis of the impact of beam heating mode in molten salt corrosion experiments employing simultaneous ion irradiation

Finite element analysis was used to investigate the temperature and stress profiles that develop in 316L stainless steel membranes being irradiated using different proton beam conditions in contact with a molten salt environment. It was shown that in addition to a nonuniform irradiation profile, a focused 2 MeV proton beam leads to very strong temperature and stress gradients in the membrane, introducing highly localized driving forces that complicate and even compromise the integrity and reliability of the experimental results of corrosion studies. Here, the use of a focused beam in corrosion studies can create experimental artifacts that may misrepresent the true corrosion behavior. In contrast, the use of a rastered beam is shown to distribute the protons and resulting radiation damage uniformly across the membrane face, and more importantly, results in temperature and stress profiles that are not only very uniform but are of much lower magnitude. The use of a rastered beam during molten salt corrosion experiments is therefore recommended to achieve uniform damage rates, thereby reducing both gradients and magnitudes of the temperature and stress distributions.

43 - PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Finite Element Analysis and Measurement of Coefficients of Thermal Expansion on HEAs

This poster covers the introducing why Finite Element Analysis is essential in understanding HiRadMat. It also covers on the experimental procedures and obtained result of the measurement of Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of High Entropy Alloys, and the relevance of these results in application of selecting beam intercepting devices

Itemba, Leo [U. Chicago (main)]↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Comprehensive Review on Finite Element Analysis of Laser Shock Peening

Laser shock peening (LSP) is a formidable cold working surface treatment that provides high-energy precision to enhance the mechanical properties of materials. This paper delves into the intricacies of the LSP process, offering insights into its methodology and the simulation thereof through the finite element method. This review critically examines various points, such as laser energy, overlapping of shots, effect of LSP on residual stress, effect of LSP on grain refinement, and algorithms for simulation extrapolated from finite element analyses conducted by researchers, shedding light on the nuanced considerations integral to this technique. As the significance of LSP continues to grow, the collective findings underscore its potential as a transformative technology for fortifying materials against mechanical stress and improving their overall performance and longevity. The discourse encapsulates the evolving landscape of the LSP, emphasizing the pivotal role played by finite element analysis in advancing our understanding and application of this innovative surface treatment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Finite Element Analysis and Machine Learning Guided Design of Carbon Fiber Organosheet-Based Battery Enclosures for Crashworthiness

Carbon fiber composite can be a potential candidate for replacing metal-based battery enclosures of current electric vehicles (E.V.s) owing to its better strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. However, the strength of carbon fiber-based structures depends on several parameters that should be carefully chosen. Here, in this work, we implemented high throughput finite element analysis (FEA) based thermoforming simulation to virtually manufacture the battery enclosure using different design and processing parameters. Subsequently, we performed virtual crash simulations to mimic a side pole crash to evaluate the crashworthiness of the battery enclosures. This high throughput crash simulation dataset was utilized to build predictive models to understand the crashworthiness of an unknown set. Our machine learning (ML) models showed excellent performance (R 2 > 0.97) in predicting the crashworthiness metrics, i.e., crush load efficiency, absorbed energy, intrusion, and maximum deceleration during a crash. We believe that this FEA-ML work framework will be helpful in down select process parameters for carbon fiber-based component design and can be transferrable to other manufacturing technologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Measurement and Simulation of the Magnetic Fields from a 555 Timer Integrated Circuit Using a Quantum Diamond Microscope and Finite-Element Analysis

Quantum diamond microscope (QDM) magnetic field imaging is an emerging interrogation and diagnostic technique for integrated circuits (ICs). To date, the ICs measured with a QDM have been either too complex for us to predict the expected magnetic fields and benchmark the QDM performance or too simple to be relevant to the IC community. In this paper, we establish a 555 timer IC as a “model system” to optimize QDM measurement implementation, benchmark performance, and assess IC device functionality. To validate the magnetic field images taken with a QDM, we use a spice electronic circuit simulator and finite-element analysis (FEA) to model the magnetic fields from the 555 die for two functional states. Furthermore, we compare the advantages and the results of three IC-diamond measurement methods, confirm that the measured and simulated magnetic images are consistent, identify the magnetic signatures of current paths within the device, and discuss using this model system to advance QDM magnetic imaging as an IC diagnostic tool.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Determining Stress in Metallic Conducting Layers of Microelectronics Devices Using High Resolution Electron Backscatter Diffraction and Finite Element Analysis

Delayed failure due to stress voiding is a concern with some aging microelectronics, as these voids can grow large enough to cause an open circuit. Local measurements of stress in the metallic layers are crucial to understanding and predicting this failure, but such measurements are complicated by the fact that exposing the aluminum conducting lines will relieve most of their stress. In this study, we instead mechanically thin the device substrate and measure distortions on the thinned surface using high resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HREBSD). These measurements are then related to the stresses in the metallic layers through elastic simulations. This study found that in legacy components that had no obvious voids, the stresses were comparable to the theoretical stresses at the time of manufacture (≈300 MPa). Distortion fields in the substrate were also determined around known voids, which may be directly compared to stress voiding models. In conclusion, the technique presented here for stress determination, HREBSD coupled with finite element analysis to infer subsurface stresses, is a valuable tool for assessing failure in layered microelectronics devices.

HREBSD↗
DOE OSTI2023

Modeling the First Hydrogen Direct Reduction Pilot Reactor for Ironmaking in the USA Using Finite Element Analysis and Its Validation Using Pilot Plant Trial Data

Direct reduction of hematite pellets with hydrogen (H 2 ) was used to produce directly reduced iron (DRI) in a pilot scale reactor at a pellet feed rate of 21.4 kg/h. At a steady state, operational parameters of the pilot plant (gas recycling rate and inlet temperature) along with key reactor output parameters, the pellet metallization, and the internal temperature profile of the reactor were reported for two scenarios with high recycle and low recycle rate of H 2 . Scenario 1, with a high recycle rate of 400 L/min H 2 along with external heating of 870 °C, gave an average metallization of 91.8%, while Scenario 2, with low recycle rate of 100 L/min H 2 and external heating of 850 °C gave a metallization of 67.8% due to the higher moles of H 2 available for reduction and the external energy required for the endothermic reduction reaction in Scenario 1 as compared with Scenario 2. Finite element analysis was used to build a model of the shaft reactor, which was validated against the metallization and internal temperature profile data. The average metallization values predicted by the model were very close to the metallization values obtained from the pilot plant samples, with 90.9% average metallization for Scenario 1 and 65.6% average metallization for Scenario 2. The internal temperature profiles in the lower region of the reactor obtained from the model were very close to these pilot plant data, with a maximum difference of 52.7 °C and 67.6 °C for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. The pilot plant reactor model was used extensively in the commissioning of the pilot plant and to predict the startup outcomes for a given set of operating parameters.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2023

An finite element analysis surrogate model with boundary oriented graph embedding approach for rapid design

Abstract In this work, we present a boundary oriented graph embedding (BOGE) approach for the graph neural network to assist in rapid design and digital prototyping. The cantilever beam problem has been solved as an example to validate its potential of providing physical field results and optimized designs using only 10 ms. Providing shortcuts for both boundary elements and local neighbor elements, the BOGE approach can embed unstructured mesh elements into the graph and performs an efficient regression on large-scale triangular-mesh-based finite element analysis (FEA) results, which cannot be realized by other machine-learning-based surrogate methods. It has the potential to serve as a surrogate model for other boundary value problems. Focusing on the cantilever beam problem, the BOGE approach with 3-layer DeepGCN model achieves the regression with mean square error (MSE) of 0.011 706 (2.41% mean absolute percentage error) for stress field prediction and 0.002 735 MSE (with 1.58% elements having error larger than 0.01) for topological optimization. The overall concept of the BOGE approach paves the way for a general and efficient deep-learning-based FEA simulator that will benefit both industry and Computer Aided Design (CAD) design-related areas.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Introduction to Finite Element Analysis: Abaqus Tutorial [Slides]

Abaqus is a suite of powerful engineering simulation programs, based on the finite element method, that can solve a variety of problems, ranging from simple to complex, including the fields of: Structural mechanics, Structural dynamics, Thermodynamics, Heat transfer, and more

42 ENGINEERING↗