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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 181 records · Page 10

Lifetime Reliability Prediction of Ceramic Structures Under Transient Thermomechanical Loads

An analytical methodology is developed to predict the probability of survival (reliability) of ceramic components subjected to harsh thermomechanical loads that can vary with time (transient reliability analysis). This capability enables more accurate prediction of ceramic component integrity against fracture in situations such as turbine startup and shutdown, operational vibrations, atmospheric reentry, or other rapid heating or cooling situations (thermal shock). The transient reliability analysis methodology developed herein incorporates the following features: fast-fracture transient analysis (reliability analysis without slow crack growth, SCG); transient analysis with SCG (reliability analysis with time-dependent damage due to SCG); a computationally efficient algorithm to compute the reliability for components subjected to repeated transient loading (block loading); cyclic fatigue modeling using a combined SCG and Walker fatigue law; proof testing for transient loads; and Weibull and fatigue parameters that are allowed to vary with temperature or time. Component-to-component variation in strength (stochastic strength response) is accounted for with the Weibull distribution, and either the principle of independent action or the Batdorf theory is used to predict the effect of multiaxial stresses on reliability. The reliability analysis can be performed either as a function of the component surface (for surface-distributed flaws) or component volume (for volume-distributed flaws). The transient reliability analysis capability has been added to the NASA CARES/ Life (Ceramic Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures/Life) code. CARES/Life was also updated to interface with commercially available finite element analysis software, such as ANSYS, when used to model the effects of transient load histories. Examples are provided to demonstrate the features of the methodology as implemented in the CARES/Life program.

Nemeth, Noel N.↗

Thermal modeling of a metallic thermal protection tile for entry vehicles

The thermal Energy Flow Simulation (TEFS) computer program was developed to simulate transient heat transfer through composite solids and predict interfacial temperatures. The program and its usage are described. A simulation of the thermal response of a new thermal protection tile design for the Space Shuttle Orbiter is presented and graphically compared with actual data. An example is also provided which shows the program's usage as a design tool for theoretical models.

Wiese, M. R.↗

Impact Testing and Simulation of Composite Airframe Structures

Dynamic tests were performed at NASA Langley Research Center on composite airframe structural components of increasing complexity to evaluate their energy absorption behavior when subjected to impact loading. A second objective was to assess the capabilities of predicting the dynamic response of composite airframe structures, including damage initiation and progression, using a state-of-the-art nonlinear, explicit transient dynamic finite element code, LS-DYNA. The test specimens were extracted from a previously tested composite prototype fuselage section developed and manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation under the US Army's Survivable Affordable Repairable Airframe Program (SARAP). Laminate characterization testing was conducted in tension and compression. In addition, dynamic impact tests were performed on several components, including I-beams, T-sections, and cruciform sections. Finally, tests were conducted on two full-scale components including a subfloor section and a framed fuselage section. These tests included a modal vibration and longitudinal impact test of the subfloor section and a quasi-static, modal vibration, and vertical drop test of the framed fuselage section. Most of the test articles were manufactured of graphite unidirectional tape composite with a thermoplastic resin system. However, the framed fuselage section was constructed primarily of a plain weave graphite fabric material with a thermoset resin system. Test data were collected from instrumentation such as accelerometers and strain gages and from full-field photogrammetry.

Jackson, Karen E.↗

Analytical modeling of intumescent coating thermal protection system in a JP-5 fuel fire environment

The thermochemical response of Coating 313 when exposed to a fuel fire environment was studied to provide a tool for predicting the reaction time. The existing Aerotherm Charring Material Thermal Response and Ablation (CMA) computer program was modified to treat swelling materials. The modified code is now designated Aerotherm Transient Response of Intumescing Materials (TRIM) code. In addition, thermophysical property data for Coating 313 were analyzed and reduced for use in the TRIM code. An input data sensitivity study was performed, and performance tests of Coating 313/steel substrate models were carried out. The end product is a reliable computational model, the TRIM code, which was thoroughly validated for Coating 313. The tasks reported include: generation of input data, development of swell model and implementation in TRIM code, sensitivity study, acquisition of experimental data, comparisons of predictions with data, and predictions with intermediate insulation.

Clark, K. J.↗

Modeling temporal and hormonal regulation of plant transcriptional response to wounding

Plants respond to wounding stress by changing gene expression patterns and inducing the production of hormones including jasmonic acid. This wounding transcriptional response activates specialized metabolism pathways such as the glucosinolate pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana. While the regulatory factors and sequences controlling a subset of wound-response genes are known, it remains unclear how wound response is regulated globally. Here, we how these responses are regulated by incorporating putative cis-regulatory elements, known transcription factor binding sites, in vitro DNA affinity purification sequencing, and DNase I hypersensitive sites to predict genes with different wound-response patterns using machine learning. We observed that regulatory sites and regions of open chromatin differed between genes upregulated at early and late wounding time-points as well as between genes induced by jasmonic acid and those not induced. Expanding on what we currently know, we identified cis-elements that improved model predictions of expression clusters over known binding sites. Using a combination of genome editing, in vitro DNA-binding assays, and transient expression assays using native and mutated cis-regulatory elements, we experimentally validated four of the predicted elements, three of which were not previously known to function in wound-response regulation. Our study provides a global model predictive of wound response and identifies new regulatory sequences important for wounding without requiring prior knowledge of the transcriptional regulators.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Application of a Developmental Composite Material Model to Predict the Crush Response of Two Energy Absorbers

In 2012, a consortium was formed with the goal of creating a new composite material model capable of predicting the wide range of properties, accumulated damage behavior, and the many different types of failure in composites under impact loading. The material model was developed for execution in the commercially available nonlinear, explicit transient dynamic finite element code, LS-DYNA®. This material model incorporates three sub-models: deformation, damage, and failure. In addition, the model accounts for strain rate and temperature effects and relies heavily on the input of tabulated material response data. The model is designated *MAT_COMPOSITE_TABULATED_PLASTICITY_DAMAGE, or *MAT_213. Initially, *MAT_213 was developed for use with solid elements only; however, a thin shell element formulation for *MAT_213 has been adapted recently. The objective of this project was to find a suitable modeling example to investigate the capabilities and performance of *MAT_213. In 2012, two composite energy absorbers were designed and evaluated at NASA Langley Research Center through multi-level testing and simulation. The first was a conical-shaped energy absorber, designated the conusoid, which consisted of four layers of hybrid carbon-Kevlar® plain-weave fabric oriented at [+45°/-45°/-45°/+45°] with respect to the vertical direction. The second was a sinusoidal-shaped energy absorber, designated the sinusoid, which consisted of hybrid carbon-Kevlar® plain-weave fabric face sheets, two layers for each face sheet oriented at ±45° with respect to the vertical direction, and a closed-cell ELFOAM® P200 polyisocyanurate foam core. Finite element models were developed of the energy absorbers and simulations were performed using LS-DYNA®. In this paper, the development of a *MAT_213 model of a hybrid carbon-Kevlar® plain-weave fabric is presented. Next, comparisons with material characterization tests are presented. Then, test-analysis results are documented for each energy absorber as comparisons of time-history responses, as well as predicted and experimental structural deformations and progressive damage under impact loading using the *MAT_213 material model. Since a prior *MAT_58, or *MAT_LAMINATED_COMPOSITE_FABRIC material model was used in previous simulations of the energy absorbers, comparisons are made between *MAT_58 and *MAT_213 model predictions with test data. Finally, the paper includes a comprehensive list of “lessons learned,” in which a series of parametric studies are documented that were performed to investigate specific issues related to the material model. These “lessons learned” are included in hopes that they may help future *MAT_213 users.

crashworthiness, LS-DYNA transient dynamic simulat↗

Reexamination of METMAN, Recommendations on Enhancement of LCVG, and Development of New Concepts for EMU Heat Sink

METMAN is a 41-node transient metabolic computer code developed in 1970 and revised in 1989 by Lockheed Engineering and Sciences, Inc. This program relies on a mathematical model to predict the transient temperature distribution in a body influenced by metabolic heat generation and thermal interaction with the environment. A more complex 315-node model is also available that not only simulates the thermal response of a body exposed to a warm environment, but is also capable of describing the thermal response resulting from exposure to a cold environment. It is important to compare the two models for the prediction of the body's thermal response to metabolic heat generation and exposure to various environmental conditions. Discrepancies between the twi models may warrant an investigation of METMAN to ensure its validity for describing the body's thermal response in space environment. The Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment is a subsystem of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). This garment, worn under the pressure suit, contains the liquid cooling tubing and gas ventilation manifolds; its purpose is to alleviate or reduce thermal stress resulting from metabolic heat generation. There is renewed interest in modifying this garment through identification of the locus of maximum heat transfer at body-liquid cooled tubing interface. The sublimator is a vital component of the Primary Life Support System (PLSS) in the EMU. It acts as a heat sink to remove heat and humidity from the gas ventilating circuit and the liquid cooling loop of the LCVG. The deficiency of the sublimator is that the ice, used as the heat sink, sublimates into space. There is an effort to minimize water losses in the feedwater circuit of the EMU. This requires developing new concepts to design an alternative heat sink system. Efforts are directed to review and verify the heat transfer formulation of the analytical model employed by METMAN. A conceptual investigation of regenerative non-venting heat-sink subsystem for the EMU is recommended.

Karimi, Amir↗

Voyager spacecraft electrostatic discharge testing

The program of environmental testing undergone by the Voyager spacecraft in order to simulate the transient voltage effects of electrostatic discharges expected in the energetic plasma environment of Jupiter is reported. The testing consists of studies of the electrostatic discharge characteristics of spacecraft dielectrics in a vacuum-chamber-electron beam facility, brief piece part sensitivity tests on such items as a MOSFET multiplexer and the grounding of the thermal blanket, and assembly tests of the magnetometer boom and the science boom. In addition, testing of a complete spacecraft was performed using two arc sources to simulate long and short duration discharge sources for successive spacecraft shielding and grounding improvements. Due to the testing program, both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 experienced tolerable electrostatic discharge-caused transient anomalies in science and engineering subsystems, however, a closer duplication of the spacecraft environment is necessary to predict and design actual spacecraft responses more accurately.

Whittlesey, A.↗

Combustor liner durability analysis

An 18 month combustor liner durability analysis program was conducted to evaluate the use of advanced three dimensional transient heat transfer and nonlinear stress-strain analyses for modeling the cyclic thermomechanical response of a simulated combustor liner specimen. Cyclic life prediction technology for creep/fatigue interaction is evaluated for a variety of state-of-the-art tools for crack initiation and propagation. The sensitivity of the initiation models to a change in the operating conditions is also assessed.

Moreno, V.↗

Pressurizer dynamic model and emulated programmable logic controllers for nuclear power plants cybersecurity investigations

This work demonstrates the functionality of the pressurizer using a fast-running three regions, non-equilibrium model and control programs of emulated PLCs. The state variables from an integrated model of primary loop in a representative PWR plant are communicated to the pressurizer’s emulated PLCs using a synchronized data transfer function. In turn, the PLCs communicate back instructions to the pressurizer model to adjust the pressure and water level to remain within preprogramed setpoints. Pressurizer model simultaneously solves the coupled mass and energy conservation equations in the saturated vapor and saturated and subcooled liquid regions using fixed step solver. Results demonstrate the response of the pressurizer model linked to an emulated pressure and water level PLCs in a simulated transient involving surge-in and surge-out events. The 50 ms response delay time for the emulated PLC insignificantly affects operation and predictions of the pressurizer model.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

RELAP5-3D modelling of the HTTR-GT/H 2 secondary system and turbomachinery

High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) can be used for the cogeneration of electricity and hydrogen. The JAEA-operated High-Temperature engineering Test Reactor (HTTR-GT/H 2 ) is exploring using the reactor for electricity and hydrogen production. Here, a RELAP5-3D model of the HTTR-GT/H 2 secondary system has been developed using design information. The various components and heat exchangers in the secondary system were investigated, modified, and improved where applicable. With these changes made, the model was run, and the results were compared to the design conditions. The results for the sole-power generation mode were shown to fit the design conditions very well. The largest temperature difference was on the order of 7 K, and the largest pressure difference was on the order of 0.05 MPa. The results for the hydrogen cogeneration mode did not fit the design conditions as well as the other case. The largest temperature difference was about 39 K and the largest pressure difference was about 0.27 MPa at the compressor outlet. The larger differences for the hydrogen cogeneration mode are attributed to the various complex components and the flow being split in the secondary loop. A transient reduction in heat removal capability of the secondary system was investigated. Reactor temperatures were predicted to rise as a result. The core reactivity response due to this increase in temperature is investigated and is expected to add negative reactivity to the reactor.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

An evaluation of excitation techniques for time domain based flutter data processing

Numerically simulated, wind tunnel and flight test experimental data were used to evaluate various types of system excitation sources for subcritical flutter testing. Emphasis was placed upon the determination of modal frequencies and damping from relatively short time series records. Parameter identification based upon digital time series models was used to predict modal characteristics from subcritical test data. Various types of excitation were considered. These were: 1) impulsive loading and the resulting transient free vibration response, 2) random forced response, in which the 'mechanical' forcing function could be directly measured, 3) sine sweep forced response, in which the 'mechanical' forcing function could be directly measured, and 4) forced response from unsteady aerodynamic excitation or turbulence, in which the excitation could only be indirectly inferred from other measurements.

Pinkelman, J. K.↗

Autonomous control for Heat-Pipe microreactor using Data-Driven model predictive control

To enable a self-regulating capability for heat pipe (HP) microreactors, an anticipatory control strategy achieved via model predictive control (MPC) could proactively respond to potential disturbances and deviations in operating setpoints. This paper demonstrates data-driven methods for predicting the distribution and transient of temperatures and heat fluxes at selected components and regions in a 37-HP system, based on which the optimal control actions in response to changes in user-defined setpoints can be found. We present the development and validation of linear state-space model, feedfoward, and recurrent neural networks. Here, we compare the performance of MPCs with different modeling approaches in terms of following setpoints for temperatures and averaged output heat fluxes. The accuracies of the three data-driven models are similar, but the control actions initiated by neural-network-based MPC can better adapt to drastic changes in setpoints yet generate the smallest errors.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

The dynamic response of composite beams to axial impact

Large deformation response of simple composite structural elements to intense dynamic loadings is studied by focusing on the response of beams. Overall goals are to: design a simple test fixture to introduce crash related bending loads in beams; determine any difference between large deformation static and large deformation dynamic response; determine the influence of laminate stacking arrangements on the dynamic response, failure mode, and energy absorbed; and predict the dynamic response. Twelve different laminate orientations were investigated. Modeling of the response was done with an existing finite element program. The program computed nonlinear transient response analysis of a structure objected to a time varying load.

Derian, E. J.↗

Transient Reliability of Ceramic Structures For Heat Engine Applications

The objectives of this report was to develop a methodology to predict the time-dependent reliability (probability of failure) of brittle material components subjected to transient thermomechanical loading, taking into account the change in material response with time. This methodology for computing the transient reliability in ceramic components subjected to fluctuation thermomechanical loading was developed, assuming SCG (Slow Crack Growth) as the delayed mode of failure. It takes into account the effect of varying Weibull modulus and materials with time. It was also coded into a beta version of NASA's CARES/Life code, and an example demonstrating its viability was presented.

Nemeth, Noel N.↗

Multi-Level Experimental and Analytical Evaluation of Two Composite Energy Absorbers

Two composite energy absorbers were developed and evaluated at NASA Langley Research Center through multi-level testing and simulation performed under the Transport Rotorcraft Airframe Crash Testbed (TRACT) research program. A conical-shaped energy absorber, designated the conusoid, was evaluated that consisted of four layers of hybrid carbon-Kevlar plain weave fabric oriented at [+45 deg/-45 deg/-45 deg/+45 deg] with respect to the vertical, or crush, direction. A sinusoidal-shaped energy absorber, designated the sinusoid, was developed that consisted of hybrid carbon-Kevlar plain weave fabric face sheets, two layers for each face sheet oriented at +/-45deg with respect to the vertical direction and a closed-cell ELFOAM P200 polyisocyanurate (2.0-lb/cu ft) foam core. The design goal for the energy absorbers was to achieve average floor-level accelerations of between 25- and 40-g during the full-scale crash test of a retrofitted CH-46E helicopter airframe, designated TRACT 2. Variations in both designs were assessed through dynamic crush testing of component specimens. Once the designs were finalized, subfloor beams of each configuration were fabricated and retrofitted into a barrel section of a CH-46E helicopter. A vertical drop test of the barrel section was conducted onto concrete to evaluate the performance of the energy absorbers prior to retrofit into TRACT 2. The retrofitted airframe was crash tested under combined forward and vertical velocity conditions onto soil, which is characterized as a sand/clay mixture. Finite element models were developed of all test articles and simulations were performed using LS-DYNA, a commercial nonlinear explicit transient dynamic finite element code. Test-analysis results are presented for each energy absorber as comparisons of time-history responses, as well as predicted and experimental structural deformations and progressive damage under impact loading for each evaluation level.

Jackson, Karen E.↗

The Development of Two Composite Energy Absorbers for Use in a Transport Rotorcraft Airframe Crash Testbed (TRACT 2) Full-Scale Crash Test

Two composite energy absorbers were developed and evaluated at NASA Langley Research Center through multi-level testing and simulation performed under the Transport Rotorcraft Airframe Crash Testbed (TRACT) research program. A conical-shaped energy absorber, designated the conusoid, was evaluated that consisted of four layers of hybrid carbon-Kevlar plain weave fabric oriented at [+45deg/-45deg/-45deg/+45deg] with respect to the vertical direction. A sinusoidal-shaped energy absorber, designated the sinusoid, was developed that consisted of hybrid carbon-Kevlar plain weave fabric face sheets, two layers for each face sheet oriented at +/-45deg with respect to the vertical direction, and a closed-cell ELFOAM P200 polyisocyanurate (2.0-lb/cu ft) foam core. The design goal for the energy absorbers was to achieve average floor-level accelerations of between 25- and 40-g during the full-scale crash test of a retrofitted CH-46E helicopter airframe, designated TRACT 2. Variations in both designs were assessed through dynamic crush testing of component specimens. Once the designs were finalized, subfloor beams of each configuration were fabricated and retrofitted into a barrel section of a CH-46E helicopter. A vertical drop test of the barrel section was conducted onto concrete to evaluate the performance of the energy absorbers prior to retrofit into TRACT 2. The retrofitted airframe was crash tested under combined forward and vertical velocity conditions onto soft soil. Finite element models were developed of all test articles and simulations were performed using LS-DYNA, a commercial nonlinear explicit transient dynamic finite element code. Test-analysis results are presented for each energy absorber as comparisons of time-history responses, as well as predicted and experimental structural deformations and progressive damage under impact loading for each evaluation level.

Littell, Justin D.↗