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Garba, J. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Garba, J. A..

At least 19 records

Vibration suppression for precision segmented reflector backup structure

An ongoing effort at the JPL on vibration suppression for the Precision Segmented Reflector backup structure is centered on the vibration damping augmentation through a system consisting of active and passive damping members. An active member is a structural member with built-in piezoelectric actuator and sensors. An efficient method was developed for optimal placement of active and passive damping members in the truss-type backup structure. A simple synergistic model between the active and passive damping was proposed based on a weighted energy dissipation criterion. A baseline passive member design with constrained viscoelastic material treatment was used as the source of passive damping.

Chen, G.-S.

Experimental studies of active members in control of large space structures

Intelligent structures for precision spacecraft applications are structural systems incorporating sensors, actuators, and built-in electronic logic that facilitate self-monitoring of structure responses to disturbances. Attention is presently given to adaptive structures, in which the electronic logic need not be integral to the structure. Active members are used to replace selected passive members of truss-type structures; the sensors employed allow measurement of the elastic strain and deformation experienced by the structure. Two struss-type testbed structures are described.

Fanson, J. L.

System identification for large space structure damage assessment

The need for monitoring the dynamic characteristics of large structural systems for purposes of assessing the potential degradation of structural properties was established. A theory for assessing the occurrence, location, and extent of potential damage was developed utilizing on-orbit response measurements. Feasibility of the method is demonstrated using a simple structural system as an example.

Chen, J. C.

Verification of large beam-type space structures

The verification approach here proposed for large, beam-type space structures consists of a first part, which removes the gravity effect on the substructure tested and identifies its on-orbit dynamic characteristics, on the basis of ground test measurements, and a second part which develops an adequate scaling law that extrapolates the dynamic characteristics of the prototype structure by using results from the substructure. These approaches are presently demonstrated for the cases of a wrap-rib antenna's feed support structure and a candidate Space Shuttle flight experiment.

Shih, C.-F.

Loads and low frequency dynamics data base: Version 1.1 November 8, 1985

Structural design data for the Shuttle are presented in the form of a data base. The data can be used by designers of Shuttle experiments to assure compliance with Shuttle safety and structural verification requirements. A glossary of Shuttle design terminology is given, and the principal safety requirements of Shuttle are summarized. The Shuttle design data are given in the form of load factors.

Garba, J. A.

Structural analysis model validation using modal test data

The design of a structure which can survive a prescribed dynamic environment is generally based on the use of an analytical model of the structure. The modal test is employed to verify the analytical model. This paper is concerned with the involved validation process, taking into account modal test results from realistic complex spacecraft structural systems as examples to demonstrate the proposed validation procedure. Attention is given to a load analysis model definition, a pretest analysis and test/analysis model, and the correlation parameters. Coordinate transformation is considered along with mode identification, frequency orthogonality, effective mass, mode shape, local kinetic energy, modal force, strain energy, and modal forces by acceleration measurements. Two examples are used to illustrate the procedure.

Chen, J.-C.

Verification of large space structures using scale modelling laws

The feasibility of testing large space structures in 1-g environment for the purpose of verifying its performance requirement is considered. Because of the difference in test objectives as compared to the conventional structural systems, the scale modelling laws are examined. The investigation is performed on a generic structural element, a space beam. A preliminary conclusion is obtained based on the results.

Chen, J.-C.

The 55-meter-structure flight experiment

The verification and demonstration of the structural performance related parameters for large flexible space structures are discussed. The objectives are to verify the deployment repeatability of static surface contour, to demonstrate the feasibility of in-flight static shape correction, to verify predicted shape in a zero gravity thermal environment, to determine zero gravity structural dynamic characteristics, and to verify the instrumentation and excitation system for in-flight measurements.

Garba, J. A.

Spacecraft structural system identification by modal test

A structural parameter estimation procedure using the measured natural frequencies and kinetic energy distribution as observers is proposed. The theoretical derivation of the estimation procedure is described and its constraints and limitations are explained. This procedure is applied to a large complex spacecraft structural system to identify the inertia matrix using modal test results. The inertia matrix is chosen after the stiffness matrix has been updated by the static test results.

Chen, J.-C.

Methods for Estimating Payload/Vehicle Design Loads

Several methods compared with respect to accuracy, design conservatism, and cost. Objective of survey: reduce time and expense of load calculation by selecting approximate method having sufficient accuracy for problem at hand. Methods generally applicable to dynamic load analysis in other aerospace and other vehicle/payload systems.

Chen, J. C.

Direct structural parameter identification by modal test results

A direct identification procedure is proposed to obtain the mass and stiffness matrices based on the test measured eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The method is based on the theory of matrix perturbation in which the correct mass and stiffness matrices are expanded in terms of analytical values plus a modification matrix. The simplicity of the procedure enables real time operation during the structural testing.

Chen, J.-C.

On the identification of continuous vibrating systems modelled by hyperbolic partial differential equations

This paper deals with the identification of spatially varying parameters in systems of finite spatial extent which can be described by second order hyperbolic differential equations. Two questions have been addressed. The first deals with 'partial identification' and inquires into the possibility of retrieving all the eigenvalues of the system from response data obtained at one location x-asterisk epsilon (0, 1). The second deals with the identification of the distributed coefficients rho(x), a(x) and b(x). Sufficient conditions for unique identification of all the eigenvalues of the system are obtained, and conditions under which the coefficients can be uniquely identified using suitable response data obtained at one point in the spatial domain are determined. Application of the results and their usefulness is demonstrated in the identification of the properties of tall building structural systems subjected to dynamic load environments.

Udwadia, F. E.

Modal test and analysis correlation

Modal testing plays a significant role in experimentally measuring the modal parameters used directly for response analysis of spacecraft or indirectly to update a mathematical model for use in response analysis. Developments in modal testing and correlation of results to analytical models are discussed. Several procedures to semi-automate correlation of resonant frequency and mode shape test data to the model have been shown to be valid for hypothetical problems but have not been successful in practice. Improving the correlation of frequencies and mode shapes does not necessarily improve the correlation of modal force coefficients. The paper discusses other parameters, such as kinetic energy and strain energy, which may be more significant in the correlation process. Because the most demanding requirement of a modal test is in determining dynamic loads, the authors asssume that objective, minimally discussing theoretical developments, summarizing their results, and giving sample data.

Wada, B. K.

Some aspects of the identification of continuous vibrating systems

This paper deals with the identification of systems described by the one-dimensional, second order wave equation. Such equations arise commonly in various areas of mathematical physics, such as, acoustics, elastic wave propagation, and electromagnetic theory. Assuming that suitable measurements are made at only one point in the spatial domain, sufficient conditions for unique identification of the system eigenvalues and system coefficients are presented.

Udwadia, F. E.

A nonparametric identification method for a class of non-linear systems

A relatively simple nonparametric method for the identification of a class of close-coupled nonlinear multi-degree-of-freedom systems has been developed. The identification of arbitrary memoryless nonlinearities is possible through knowledge of the accelerations, velocities, and displacements of the various masses. These quantities are used to obtain the surfaces of the restoring forces as functions of the intermass displacements and velocities. The method was demonstrated by application to a four-degree-of-freedom system to identify the restoring forces. It is found that the identification results are relatively insensitive to measurement noise.

Udwadia, F. E.

A survey of load methodologies for shuttle orbiter payloads

Loads methods currently being used to design planetary spacecraft to be launched on the shuttle orbiter are summarized. Experiences gained from expendable launch vehicle payloads are used to develop methodologies for the space shuttle orbiter payloads. The objectives for the development of a new methodology for the shuttle payloads are to reduce the cost and schedule for the payload load analysis by decoupling the payload analysis from the launch vehicle to the maximum extent possible. Methods are described for payload member load estimation or obtaining upper bounds for dynamic loads, as well as load prediction or calculating actual transient member load time histories.

Chen, J. C.