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At least 181 records · Page 10

Structural tailoring of laminate properties

In this study, structural synthesis techniques have been applied to tailor the composite laminate properties from the micromechanics to the laminate level for a desirable structural response. It is also demonstrated how to establish upper and lower bounds on design variables based on reliability considerations. The question of reliability arises in fiber composite analysis and design because of the inherent scatter that is observed in the constituent material properties in the experimental data. The symmetric composite laminates subject to mechanical loading are considered and no hygrothermal effects are taken into account in the present research. Application examples illustrate the effects of various ply and laminate parameters on the overall properties and structural response of composite laminates.

Thanedar, P. B.↗

Specially tailored transfinite-element formulations for hyperbolic heat conduction involving non-Fourier effects

The phenomenon of hyperbolic heat conduction in contrast to the classical (parabolic) form of Fourier heat conduction involves thermal energy transport that propagates only at finite speeds, as opposed to an infinite speed of thermal energy transport. To accommodate the finite speed of thermal wave propagation, a more precise form of heat flux law is involved, thereby modifying the heat flux originally postulated in the classical theory of heat conduction. As a consequence, for hyperbolic heat conduction problems, the thermal energy propagates with very sharp discontinuities at the wave front. Accurate solutions are found for a class of one-dimensional hyperbolic heat conduction problems involving non-Fourier effects that can be used effectively for representative benchmark tests and for validating alternate schemes. Modeling/analysis formulations via specially tailored hybrid computations are provided for accurately modeling the sharp discontinuities of the propagating thermal wave front. Comparative numerical test models are presented for various hyperbolic heat conduction models involving non-Fourier effects to demonstrate the present formulations.

Tamma, Kumar K.↗

Tailorable infrared sensing device with strain layer superlattice structure

An infrared photodetector is formed of a heavily doped p-type Ge(x)Si(1-x)/Si superlattice in which x is pre-established during manufacture in the range 0 to 100 percent. A custom tailored photodetector that can differentiate among close wavelengths in the range of 2.7 to 50 microns is fabricated by appropriate selection of the alloy constituency value, x, to establish a specific wavelength at which photodetection cut-off will occur.

Cheng, Li-Jen↗

Structural tailoring of select fiber composite structures

A multidisciplinary design process for aerospace propulsion composite structures was formalized and embedded into computer codes. These computer codes are streamlined to obtain tailored designs for select composite structures. The codes available are briefly described with sample cases to illustrate their applications. The sample cases include aircraft engine blades, propfans (turboprops), flat, and cylindrical panels. Typical results illustrate that the use of these codes enable the designer to obtain designs which meet all the design requirements with maximum benefits in efficiency, noise, weight or thermal distortions.

Chamis, Christos C.↗

Tailoring explicit time-marching schemes to improve convergence characteristics

Multi-stage time-stepping schemes, tailored to chosen spatial-differencing operators, are derived and tested. The schemes are constructed to give optimal damping of the high-frequency waves. They are ideal for use with multi-grid acceleration. The concept of characteristic time-stepping, necessary for the extension of the scalar analysis to systems of equations, is presented. The schemes show a marked improvement over Runge-Kutta schemes.

Powell, Kenneth G.↗

Tailoring of composite links for optimal damped elasto-dynamic performance

A method is developed for the optimal design of composite links based on dynamic performance criteria directly related to structural modal damping and dynamic stiffness. An integrated mechanics theory correlates structural composite damping to the parameters of basic composite material systems, laminate parameters, link shape, and modal deformations. The inclusion of modal properties allows the selective minimization of vibrations associated with specific modes. Ply angles and fiber volumes are tailored to obtain optimal combinations of damping and stiffness. Applications to simple composite links indicate wide margins for trade-offs and illustrate the importance of various design variables to the optimal design.

Saravanos, D. A.↗

The implementation of STOVL task-tailored control modes in a fighter cockpit

The implementation of Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing (STOVL) specific task tailored control modes in a supersonic fighter/attack aircraft cockpit is investigated. A detailed linear model exhibiting STOVL Level 1 handling qualities is implemented in a real time engineering workstation environment with an F-16 cockpit mock-up. Conventional F-16 control inceptors are utilized to achieve effective STOVL operation and reduced pilot workload throughout the transition to hover flight region. Favorable pilot comments indicate the existing F-16 cockpit configuration with a force sidestick is adaptable to STOVL operation.

Whatley, David W.↗

A method for tailoring the information content of a software process model

The framework is defined for a general method for selecting a necessary and sufficient subset of a general software life cycle's information products, to support new software development process. Procedures for characterizing problem domains in general and mapping to a tailored set of life cycle processes and products is presented. An overview of the method is shown using the following steps: (1) During the problem concept definition phase, perform standardized interviews and dialogs between developer and user, and between user and customer; (2) Generate a quality needs profile of the software to be developed, based on information gathered in step 1; (3) Translate the quality needs profile into a profile of quality criteria that must be met by the software to satisfy the quality needs; (4) Map the quality criteria to set of accepted processes and products for achieving each criterion; (5) Select the information products which match or support the accepted processes and product of step 4; and (6) Select the design methodology which produces the information products selected in step 5.

Perkins, Sharon↗

Concurrent micromechanical tailoring and fabrication process optimization for metal-matrix composites

A method is presented to minimize the residual matrix stresses in metal matrix composites. Fabrication parameters such as temperature and consolidation pressure are optimized concurrently with the characteristics (i.e., modulus, coefficient of thermal expansion, strength, and interphase thickness) of a fiber-matrix interphase. By including the interphase properties in the fabrication process, lower residual stresses are achievable. Results for an ultra-high modulus graphite (P100)/copper composite show a reduction of 21 percent for the maximum matrix microstress when optimizing the fabrication process alone. Concurrent optimization of the fabrication process and interphase properties show a 41 percent decrease in the maximum microstress. Therefore, this optimization method demonstrates the capability of reducing residual microstresses by altering the temperature and consolidation pressure histories and tailoring the interphase properties for an improved composite material. In addition, the results indicate that the consolidation pressures are the most important fabrication parameters, and the coefficient of thermal expansion is the most critical interphase property.

Morel, M.↗

Tailorable advanced blanket insulation using aluminoborosilicate and alumina batting

Two types of Tailorable Advanced Blanket Insulation (TABI) flat panels for Advanced Space Transportation Systems were produced. Both types consisted of integrally woven, 3-D fluted core having parallel faces and connecting ribs of Nicalon yarns. The triangular cross section flutes of one type was filled with mandrels of processed Ultrafiber (aluminoborosilicate) stitchbonded Nextel 440 fibrous felt, and the second type wall filled with Saffil alumina fibrous felt insulation. Weaving problems were minimal. Insertion of the fragile insulation mandrels into the fabric flutes was improved by using a special insertion tool. An attempt was made to weave fluted core fabrics from Nextel 440 yarns but was unsuccessful because of the yarn's fragility. A small sample was eventually produced by an unorthodox weaving process and then filled with Saffil insulation. The procedures for setting up and weaving the fabrics and preparing and inserting insulation mandrels are discussed. Characterizations of the panels produced are also presented.

Calamito, Dominic P.↗

Structural tailoring of advanced turboprops (STAT): User's manual

This user's manual describes the Structural Tailoring of Advanced Turboprops program. It contains instructions to prepare the input for optimization, blade geometry and analysis, geometry generation, and finite element program control. In addition, a sample input file is provided as well as a section describing special applications (i.e., non-standard input).

Brown, K. W.↗

A method for tailoring the information content of a software process model

The framework is defined for a general method for selecting a necessary and sufficient subset of a general software life cycle's information products, to support new software development process. Procedures for characterizing problem domains in general and mapping to a tailored set of life cycle processes and products is presented. An overview of the method is shown using the following steps: (1) During the problem concept definition phase, perform standardized interviews and dialogs between developer and user, and between user and customer; (2) Generate a quality needs profile of the software to be developed, based on information gathered in step 1; (3) Translate the quality needs profile into a profile of quality criteria that must be met by the software to satisfy the quality needs; (4) Map the quality criteria to a set of accepted processes and products for achieving each criterion; (5) select the information products which match or support the accepted processes and product of step 4; and (6) Select the design methodology which produces the information products selected in step 5.

Perkins, Sharon↗

A tailored approach to electromagnetic compatibility requirements in space applications

An approach is outlined which defines the requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) between NASA and military technologies with attention given to electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements. In order to minimize the cost and weight impact of the changes needed for compatibility the plan emphasizes the incorporation of off-the-shelf technology with current nonstandard methods. NASA designs are structured to meet EMI requirements rather than processing waivers against military-type specifications. The NASA-wide EMI requirements can be documented in three sections: requirements, test methods, and tailoring guidelines. It is shown that a NASA-wide EMC specification would decrease the costs of achieving compatibility by increasing efficiency and optimizing the relationship between EMC design and performance and cost.

Javor, Ken↗

Thermostructural tailoring of fiber composite structures

A significant area of interest in design of complex structures involves the study of multidisciplined problems. The coordination of several different intricate areas of study to obtain a particular design of a structure is a new and pressing area of research. In the past, each discipline would perform its task consecutively using the appropriate inputs from the other disciplines. This process usually required several time-consuming iterations to obtain a satisfactory design. The alternative pursued here is combining various participating disciplines and specified design requirements into a formal structural computer code. The main focus of this research is to develop a multidiscipline structural tailoring method for select composite structures and to demonstrate its application to specific areas. The development of an integrated computer program involves the coupling of three independent computer programs using an excutive module. This module will be the foundation for integrating a structural optimizer, a composites analyzer and a thermal analyzer. With the completion of the executive module, the first step was taken toward the evolution of multidiscipline software in the field of composite mechanics. Through the use of an array of cases involving a variety of objective functions/constraints and thermal-mechanical load conditions, it became evident that simple composite structures can be designed to a combined loads environment.

Acquaviva, Thomas H.↗

Infrared photodetectors with tailorable response due to resonant plasmon absorption in epitaxial silicide particles embedded in silicon

Tailorable infrared photoresponse in the 1-2 micron range are demonstrated in a device incorporating electrically floating metal silicide particles. Photons absorbed by excitation of the metallic-particle surface plasmon are shown to contribute to the photoresponse. Quantum efficiencies of roughly 0.2 percent are measured at 77 K, with dark currents of less than 2 nA/sq cm at a reverse bias of 1 V and detectivities of 4 x 10 exp 9 - 8 x 10 exp 9 cm sq rt Hz/W are obtained.

Fathauer, R. W.↗

Two leading-edge droop modifications for tailoring stall characteristics of a general aviation trainer configuration

The high-angle-of-attack testing intended to develop leading-edge modifications for tailoring the stall characteristics of model is described. Two different leading-edge modifications are considered: a small profile leading-edge droop on the outboard 24 percent of the wing and a large profile leading-edge droop on the outboard 50 percent of the wing. Results indicate that the longitudinal stability for the unmodified and both modified configurations was good for low angle of attack, but the modified configurations exhibited neutral longitudinal stability just prior to stall. The unmodified and both modified configurations demonstrated good lateral stability characteristics for low angles of attack, but all configurations were directionally unstable for high angles of attack.

Ross, Holly M.↗

A stiffness tailored wing cover concept for structural efficiency and postbuckling application

The weight savings due to usage of composite materials in aircraft structural applications is well known. Significant weight and cost benefits are achievable by developing structurally tailored concepts and efficiently integrating them with suitable material and manufacturing technologies. The proposed paper will describe such an efficient concept for application to primary aircraft structures.

Ambur, D. R.↗

Thermal/structural Tailoring of Engine Blades (T/STAEBL) User's Manual

The Thermal/Structural Tailoring of Engine Blades (T/STAEBL) system is a family of computer programs executed by a control program. The T/STAEBL system performs design optimizations of cooled, hollow turbine blades and vanes. This manual contains an overview of the system, fundamentals of the data block structure, and detailed descriptions of the inputs required by the optimizer. Additionally, the thermal analysis input requirements are described as well as the inputs required to perform a finite element blade vibrations analysis.

Brown, K. W.↗