Engineering topics

Abrahamson, A. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Abrahamson, A. L..

14 records

NASA NTRS1986

Acoustic treatment of the NASA Langley 4- by 7-meter tunnel: A feasibility study

A feasibility study for upgrading the NASA Langley 4- by 7-Meter Tunnel so that it may be used for aeroacoustic research related to helicopters is described. The requirements for noise research leading to the design of the next generation of helicopters impose a set of acoustic test criteria that no existing wind tunnel in the United States can presently meet. Included in this feasibility study are the following considerations: (1) an evaluation of general wind-tunnel requirements and desired tunnel background noise levels for helicopter aeroacoustic research; (2) an assessment of the present acoustic environment for testing model rotors; (3) a diagnostic investigation of tunnel background noise sources and paths; (4) acoustic treatment options for tunnel background noise reduction and a trade-off study between these options; (5) an engineering feasibility assessment of the selected option; and (6) an integrated analysis of study components and recommendations of treatment for an approach to meet the tunnel background noise reduction goal. It is concluded that the Langley 4- by 7-Meter Tunnel is a fundamentally suitable facility for helicopter aeroacoustic research. It is also concluded that acoustic treatment of this facility for meeting the required tunnel background noise goal can be accomplished technically at reasonable risk and cost.

Yu, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A feasibility study on the numerical modeling of interior noise fields

New developments in electronics and computer control have made active methods of noise suppression feasible. To date, however, active methods of noise control have been applied principally in geometrically uniform spaces with localized sound sources. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how finite element techniques may be used to model sound fields and active control inside geometrically complex spaces with non-uniform acoustic boundaries and multiple spatially separated sources. A closed-form solution is derived for the case of a one-dimensional tube with a vibrating piston at each end. Results are compared with finite element solutions and the problem is then generalized to two-dimensions with non-uniform geometry and non-uniform acoustic boundaries.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The LATDYN user's manual

The LATDYN User's Manual presents the capabilities and instructions for the LATDYN (Large Angle Transient DYNamics) computer program. The LATDYN program is a tool for analyzing the controlled or uncontrolled dynamic transient behavior of interconnected deformable multi-body systems which can undergo large angular motions of each body relative other bodies. The program accommodates large structural deformation as well as large rigid body rotations and is applicable, but not limited to, the following areas: (1) development of large flexible space structures; (2) slewing of large space structure components; (3) mechanisms with rigid or elastic components; and (4) robotic manipulations of beam members. Presently the program is limited to two dimensional problems, but in many cases, three dimensional problems can be exactly or approximately reduced to two dimensions. The program uses convected finite elements to affect the large angular motions involved in the analysis. General geometry is permitted. Detailed user input and output specifications are provided and discussed with example runstreams. To date, LATDYN has been configured for CDC/NOS and DEC VAX/VMS machines. All coding is in ANSII-77 FORTRAN. Detailed instructions regarding interfaces with particular computer operating systems and file structures are provided.

Housner, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

An evaluation of proposed acoustic treatments for the NASA LaRC 4 x 7 meter wind tunnel

The NASA LaRC 4 x 7 Meter Wind Tunnel is an existing facility specially designed for powered low speed (V/STOL) testing of large scale fixed wing and rotorcraft models. The enhancement of the facility for scale model acoustic testing is examined. The results are critically reviewed and comparisons are drawn with a similar wind tunnel (the DNW Facility in the Netherlands). Discrepancies observed in the comparison stimulated a theoretical investigation using the acoustic finite element ADAM System, of the ways in which noise propagating around the tunnel circuit radiates into the open test section. The reasons for the discrepancies noted above are clarified and assists in the selection of acoustic treatment options for the facility.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A preliminary design study on an acoustic muffler for the laminar flow transition research apparatus

An acoustic muffler design of a research tool for studying laminar flow and the mechanisms of transition, the Laminar Flow and Transition Research Apparatus (LFTRA) is investigated. Since the presence of acoustic pressure fluctuations is known to affect transition, low background noise levels in the test section of the LFTRA are mandatory. The difficulties and tradeoffs of various muffler design concepts are discussed and the most promising candidates are emphasized.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

ADAM - An axisymmetric duct aeroacoustic modeling system

ADAM is an acronym for Axisymmetric Duct Aeroacoustic Modeling and is the name of an interconnected system of computer programs for integrated aerodynamic and acoustic analysis of aeroengine nacelles. The system consists of a streamtube curvature program for determination of the mean flow and a set of finite element codes for solution of the acoustic propagation problem. Use of the system is facilitated by interactive graphics for viewing aerodynamic and acoustic fields throughout their solution domains. This paper describes the capabilities and structure of the present system and discusses experience gained in the sample problems. Possible future enhancements to the system are also outlined.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

ADAM: An Axisymmetric Duct Aeroacoustic Modeling system

An interconnected system of computer programs for analyzing the propagation and attenuation of sound in aeroengine ducts containing realistic compressible subsonic mean flows, ADAM was developed primarily for research directed towards the reduction of noise emitted from turbofan aircraft engines. The two basic components are a streamtube curvature program for determination of the mean flow, and a finite element code for solution of the acoustic propagation problem. The system, which has been specifically tailored for ease of use, is presently installed at NASA Langley Reseach Center on a Control Data Cyber 175 Computer under the NOS Operating system employing a Tektronix terminal for interactive graphics. The scope and organization of the ADAM system is described. A users guide, examples of input data, and results for selected cases are included.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

A feasibility study of a 3-D finite element solution scheme for aeroengine duct acoustics

The advantage from development of a 3-D model of aeroengine duct acoustics is the ability to analyze axial and circumferential liner segmentation simultaneously. The feasibility of a 3-D duct acoustics model was investigated using Galerkin or least squares element formulations combined with Gaussian elimination, successive over-relaxation, or conjugate gradient solution algorithms on conventional scalar computers and on a vector machine. A least squares element formulation combined with a conjugate gradient solver on a CDC Star vector computer initially appeared to have great promise, but severe difficulties were encountered with matrix ill-conditioning. These difficulties in conditioning rendered this technique impractical for realistic problems.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Acoustic duct liner optimization using finite elements

Determination of a mathematical model which may be used for obtaining optimum acoustic liners in aeroengine ducts was the goal of this study. Starting with a baseline finite element model which consumed too much computer time to permit optimum liner evaluation for realistic ducts and source frequencies, a survey was conducted of candidate methods for reducing computational effort. A highly effective boundary exclusive decomposition method was developed which enables L-U decomposition of a major partition of the global matrix to be performed once only. Timing experiments using the technique in duct liner optimization show a reduction of between one and two orders of magnitude in the central processor unit (CPU) time of the baseline model.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1977

A finite element algorithm for sound propagation in axisymmetric ducts containing compressible mean flow

The described investigation is concerned with he development of a finite element scheme which can be used in a study of the acoustics of aircraft-engine ducts. In the absence of suitable variational principles for acoustic fluctuations within an aircraft fan engine, an acoustic analysis must proceed directly from the differential equations which describe compressible flow. The derived equations cannot be solved algebraically. The numerical technique used for solving them makes use of a linear rectangular element of a type considered by Zienkiewicz (1971). Attention is given to aspects of element derivation, the global matrix assembly, the solution of the matrix equation, questions of acoustic attenuation, and illustrations of the potential of the current model in duct optimization.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1977

A finite element algorithm for sound propagation in axisymmetric ducts containing compressible mean flow

An accurate mathematical model for sound propagation in axisymmetric aircraft engine ducts with compressible mean flow is reported. The model is based on the usual perturbation of the basic fluid mechanics equations for small motions. Mean flow parameters are derived in the absence of fluctuating quantities and are then substituted into the equations for the acoustic quantities which were linearized by eliminating higher order terms. Mean swirl is assumed to be zero from the restriction of axisymmetry. A linear rectangular serendipity element is formulated from these equations using a Galerkin procedure and assembled in a special purpose computer program in which the matrix map for a rectangular mesh was specifically coded. Representations of the fluctuating quantities, mean quantities and coordinate transformations are isoparametric. The global matrix is solved by foreward and back substitution following an L-U decomposition with pivoting restricted internally to the blocks. Results from the model were compared with results from several alternative analyses and yielded satisfactory agreement.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Resonance testing of space shuttle thermoacoustic structural specimen

The resonance testing of a structural specimen related to the space shuttle vehicle is described. The specimen consisted of a thin aluminum skin reinforced by hat-section stringers and supported by two ribs or bulkheads of corrugated web. A representative section of the space shuttle thermal protection system was bonded to the outer surface of the skin. The tests were completed by using miniature accelerometers to collect vibration data from locations forming a predetermined mesh over the tiles and base structure. The signals were recorded on FM magnetic tape and subsequently analyzed on a modal analysis system.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Acoustical characteristics of the NASA Langley full scale wind tunnel test section

The full-scale wind tunnel at NASA-Langley Research Center was designed for low-speed aerodynamic testing of aircraft. Sound absorbing treatment has been added to the ceiling and walls of the tunnel test section to create a more anechoic condition for taking acoustical measurements during aerodynamic tests. The results of an experimental investigation of the present acoustical characteristics of the tunnel test section are presented. The experimental program included measurements of ambient nosie levels existing during various tunnel operating conditions, investigation of the sound field produced by an omnidirectional source, and determination of sound field decay rates for impulsive noise excitation. A comparison of the current results with previous measurements shows that the added sound treatment has improved the acoustical condition of the tunnel test section. An analysis of the data indicate that sound reflections from the tunnel ground-board platform could create difficulties in the interpretation of actual test results.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Propagation of aircraft noise over long distances through the lower atmosphere

Propagation of sound through the lower atmosphere is influenced by numerous factors which are difficult to measure and more difficult to predict. In addition to the well known laboratory observable loss mechanisms of heat conduction, gas transport, and molecular absorption, inhomogeneities in a real atmosphere have significant influence on a propagating sound wave. This study presents a qualitative discussion of different categories of atmospheric inhomogeneity and their individual and combined effects on sound propagation. Subsequently, a field test involving the propagation of aircraft noise over distances up to 10 miles is described, and a simplified empirical model for 'excess' atmospheric attenuation due to inhomogeneities in the atmosphere is derived from the data.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗