Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “load testing”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2022

Fracture Mechanics Properties of Fused Silicas Used for International Space Station Windowpanes

The fracture toughness and slow crack growth (SCG) parameters of a quartz-based silica and a high-purity fused silica were measured as part of a program to review the reliability of the International Space Station windows. The materials exhibit the same fracture toughness (.75 MPa m^(1/2) in N2) and very similar SCG parameters. The literature on fused silica indicates excellent agreement of fracture toughness, but a very wide range of SCG parameters, even from the same institution, with strength-based methods usually yielding a lower power law exponent than direct crack velocity measurements. Use of the exponential function is shown to provide better agreement between test methods, with velocity curves derived from strength tests of bare fiber and polished or ground test specimens paralleling those from wide-range, direct crack velocity observations, implying that constant stress rate tests can predict long lifetime via the exponential function. However, much variation still exists. SCG parameters for soda–lime silicate are much less sensitive to the test method than fused silica. Static load tests and stress intensity measurements resulted in a fatigue threshold of .3 MPa m^(1/2) for fused silica.

Silica, toughness, impact, crack growth, windows, ↗
NASA NTRS1986

Spacecraft load, design and test philosophies

The development of spacecraft loads, design and test philosophies at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) during the past 25 years is presented. Examples from the JPL's Viking, Voyager and Galileo spacecraft are used to explain the changes in philosophy necessary to meet the program requirements with a reduction in cost and schedule. Approaches to validate mathematical models of large structures which can't be ground tested as an overall system because of size and/or adverse effects of terrestrial conditions such as gravity are presented.

Wada, B. K.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Multi-Kilowatt Power Module for High-Power Hall Thrusters

Future NASA missions will require high-performance electric propulsion systems. Hall thrusters are being developed at NASA Glenn for high-power, high-specific impulse operation. These thrusters operate at power levels up to 50 kW of power and discharge voltages in excess of 600 V. A parallel effort is being conducted to develop power electronics for these thrusters that push the technology beyond the 5kW state-of-the-art power level. A 10 kW power module was designed to produce an output of 500 V and 20 A from a nominal 100 V input. Resistive load tests revealed efficiencies in excess of 96 percent. Load current share and phase synchronization circuits were designed and tested that will allow connecting multiple modules in parallel to process higher power.

Pinero, Luis R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Postbuckling behavior of curved panels under combined compression and shear loads

A validated semiempirical design procedure and fatigue data were developed for curved, stiffened composite panels operating in the postbuckled regime under the action of combined compression and shear loading. A previously developed design methodology for composite panels under pure shear or pure compression loading was used as the starting point for the program. Initially, the well established interaction rules for metal panels were adopted to predict buckling under combined loading. Test data were then developed to verify these rules and suggest modifications where necessary. Postbuckling failure envelopes were developed by accounting for the failure modes possible under shear loading only, and under pure compression loading. Static failure predictions under combined loading were based on test verified interaction criteria. Fatigue tests were conducted under combined loading to determine strength degradation and the possible failure modes.

Deo, Ravi B.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Ply-level failure analysis of a graphite/epoxy laminate under bearing-bypass loading

A combined experimental and analytical study was conducted to investigate and predict the failure modes of a graphite/epoxy laminate subjected to combined bearing and bypass loading. Tests were conducted in a test machine that allowed the bearing-bypass load ratio to be controlled while a single-fastener coupon was loaded to failure in either tension or compression. Onset and ultimate failure modes and strengths were determined for each test case. The damage-onset modes were studied in detail by sectioning and micrographing the damaged specimens. A two-dimensional, finite-element analysis was conducted to determine lamina strains around the bolt hole. Damage onset consisted of matrix cracks, delamination, and fiber failures. Stiffness loss appeared to be caused by fiber failures rather than by matrix cracking and delamination. An unusual offset-compression mode was observed for compressive bearing-bypass loading in which the specimen failed across its width along a line offset from the hole. The computed lamina strains in the fiber direction were used in a combined analytical and experimental approach to predict bearing-bypass diagrams for damage onset from a few simple tests.

Naik, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Imparting Barely Visible Impact Damage to a Stitched Composite Large-Scale Pressure Box

The Pultruded Rod Stitched Efficient Unitized Structure (PRSEUS) is a concept that was developed by The Boeing Company to address the complex structural design aspects associated with a pressurized hybrid wing body (HWB) aircraft configuration, which has been a focus of the NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project. The NASA-Boeing structural development for the HWB aircraft culminated in testing of the multi-bay box, which is an 80%-scale representation of the pressurized center-body section. This structure was tested in the NASA Langley Research Center Combined Loads Test System facility. As part of this testing, barely visible impact damage was imparted to the interior and exterior of the test article to demonstrate compliance with a condition representative of the requirements for Category 1 damaged composite structure as defined by the Federal Aviation Regulations. Interior impacts were imparted using an existing spring-loaded impactor, while the exterior impacts were imparted using a newly designed, gravity-driven impactor. This paper describes the impacts to the test article, and the design of the gravitydriven guided-weight impactor. The guided-weight impactor proved to be a very reliable method to impart barely visible impact damage in locations which are not easily accessible for a traditional drop-weight impactor, while at the same time having the capability to be highly configurable for use on other aircraft structures.

Lovejoy, Andrew E.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Lessons in the Design and Characterization Testing of the Semi-Span Super-Sonic Transport (S4T) Wind-Tunnel Model

This paper focuses on some of the more challenging design processes and characterization tests of the Semi-Span Super-Sonic Transport (S4T)-Active Controls Testbed (ACT). The model was successfully tested in four entries in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel to satisfy the goals and objectives of the Fundamental Aeronautics Program Supersonic Project Aero-Propulso-Servo-Elastic effort. Due to the complexity of the S4T-ACT, only a small sample of the technical challenges for designing and characterizing the model will be presented. Specifically, the challenges encountered in designing the model include scaling the Technology Concept Airplane to model scale, designing the model fuselage, aileron actuator, and engine pylons. Characterization tests included full model ground vibration tests, wing stiffness measurements, geometry measurements, proof load testing, and measurement of fuselage static and dynamic properties.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1988

Ply-level failure analysis of a graphite/epoxy laminate under bearing-bypass loading

A combined experimental and analytical study was conducted to investigate and predict the failure modes of a graphite/epoxy laminate subjected to combined bearing and bypass loading. Tests were conducted in a test machine that allowed the bearing-bypass load ratio to be controlled while a single-fastener coupon was loaded to failure in either tension or compression. Onset and ultimate failure modes and strengths were determined for each test case. The damage-onset modes were studied in detail by sectioning and micrographing the damaged specimens. A two-dimensional, finite-element analysis was conducted to determine lamina strains around the bolt hole. Damage onset consisted of matrix cracks, delamination, and fiber failures. Stiffness loss appeared to be caused by fiber failures rather than by matrix cracking and delamination. An unusual offset-compression mode was observed for compressive bearing-bypass laoding in which the specimen failed across its width along a line offset from the hole. The computed lamina strains in the fiber direction were used in a combined analytical and experimental approach to predict bearing-bypass diagrams for damage onset from a few simple tests.

Naik, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Portable 90 degree proof loading device

A hydraulically actuated device is described for applying a test load to a bearing or the like to prove the integrity of its mounting or staking within a bore in a housing such as gear case. To accommodate limited access situations, the device is constructed in a right angle configuration in which a hydraulic cylinder applies axial pressure to a first thrust rod assemly which includes a first thrust rod through a threated spindle driving a linearly translated cam. Cam follower wheel transfers the translation to a second thrust rod assembly which includes a horizontal shaft and a spindle within a cross-arm housing portion and a tubular housing portion. The same second thrust direction applies the bearing loading in either of two directions depending upon the shape of the interface parts. The interface parts can bear on the bearing from either side with respect to the bearing mounting structural part.

Bird, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Test and model correlation of the atmospheric emission photometric imager fiberglass pedestal

The correlation is presented of the static loads testing and finite element modeling for the fiberglass pedestal used on the Atmospheric Emission Photometric Imaging (AEPI) experiment. This payload is to be launched in the space shuttle as part of the ATLAS-1 experiment. Strain gauge data from rosettes around the highly loaded base are compared to the same load case run for the Spacelab 1 testing done in 1981. Correlation of the model and test data was accomplished through comparison of the composite stress invariant using the expected flight loads for the ATLAS-1 mission. Where appropriate, the Tsai-Wu failure criteria was used in the development of the key margins of safety. Margins of safety are all positive for the pedestal and are reported.

Lee, H. M., III↗
NASA NTRS1993

Fatigue-environment interactions in a SiC/Ti-15-3 composite

Load-controlled isothermal and nonisothermal fatigue lives of a (0-deg)s SiC/Ti-15-3 were evaluated at temperatures between 150 and 550 C and a target strain range of about 0.45 percent. In nonisothermal fatigue tests, load was first cycled at minimum temperature and then temperature was cycled at zero load. For fatigue tests with peak temperatures at or above 300 C, fatigue life was dramatically reduced compared to that at 150 C. The shortest life was produced by the nonisothermal test with the greatest temperature range (Delta T = 400 C) and highest peak temperature (T(max) = 550 C). Vacuum testing showed that much of the life reduction under isothermal and nonisothermal conditions was related to environmental effects, although the nature of the fatigue-environment interaction was decidedly different for the isothermal and nonisothermal test cycles which were studied.

Gayda, J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

TSS tether cable meteoroid/orbital debris damage analysis

This report summarizes the damage analyses performed on the tether cable used for the tethered satellite system (TSS), for the damage that could be caused by meteoroid or orbital debris impacts. The TSS consists of a tethered satellite deployer and a tethered satellite. The analytical studies were performed at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) with the results from the following tests: (1) hypervelocity impact tests to determine the 'critical' meteoroid particle diameter, i.e., the maximum size of a meteoroid particle which can impact the tether cable without causing 'failure'; (2) electrical resistance tests on the damaged and undamaged tether cable to determine if degradation of current flow occurred through the damaged tether cables; and (3) tensile load tests to verify the load carrying capability of the damaged tether cables. Finally, the HULL hydrodynamic computer code was used to simulate the hypervelocity impact of the tether cable by particles at velocities higher than can be tested, to determine the extent of the expected tether damage.

Hayashida, K. B.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Miniature pressure valve for on-board calibration of pressure transducers.

This paper describes the development and testing of a miniature one-pole, three-position pressure valve and actuation mechanism. This valve was designed primarily for installation with a pressure transducer directly in a wind-tunnel model, thereby reducing lag time effects resulting from long connecting tubes to the transducer. This valve provides for the in-situ calibration of the transducer during testing by providing one position for transducer zero, a second position for a known calibrate pressure, and a third position for measurement of the unknown test pressure. The valve is driven from the spring loaded test pressure position to the zero and calibrate positions by a pneumatically operated dual-piston yoke assembly. Large numbers of transducers can be simultaneously calibrated from a remote location in a matter of seconds.

Rollins, G. N.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Shuttle tile environments and loads

This paper presents the Shuttle tile ascent environments and outlines the procedures used to convert these environments into tile loads. Testing which was performed to quantify or verify the loads is also discussed, along with the load combination rationale. The discussion of the ascent environment is limited to the transonic/supersonic portion of the mission since mechanical design loads occur during this time, and to specific regions of the vehicle, in particular those regions in which undensified critical (black) tiles are located.

Muraca, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Shuttle tile environments and loads

This paper will discuss the Shuttle tile ascent environments and outline the procedures used to convert these environments into tile loads. Testing which was performed to quantify or verify the loads will also be discussed, along with the load combination rationale which was used. The discussion of the ascent environment will be limited to the transonic/supersonic portion of the mission since mechanical design loads occur during this time, and to specific regions of the vehicle, in particular those regions in which undensified critical (black) tiles are located. The induced environments can be broken down into three categories. The first of these are aerodynamic environments. These, in turn, are broken down into two categories-- (I) quasi-steady, which includes spatial surface pressure gradients, pressure differentials due to vent lag, and skin friction, and (2) the unsteady aerodynamics (aero-buffet). The second induced environment is defined as the vibration of the skin-stringer aluminum panels (hereafter referred to as the substrate) due to the acoustic environment. The third environment is defined as a quasi-steady substrate deflection, which results from in-plane and out-of-plane substrate loads.

Ralph J. Muraca↗
NASA NTRS1942

Effects of Range of Stress and of Special Notches on Fatigue Properties of Aluminum Alloys Suitable for Airplane Propellers

Laboratory tests were made to obtain information on the load-resisting properties of X76S-T aluminum alloy when subjected to static, impact, and repeated loads. Results are presented from static-load test of unnotched specimens in tension and in torsion and of notched specimens in tension. Charpy impact values obtained from bend tests on notched specimens and tension impact values for both notched and unnotched specimens tested at several different temperatures are included. The endurance limits obtained from repeated bending fatigue tests made on three different types of testing machine are given for unnotched polished specimens, and the endurance limits of notched specimens subjected to six different ranges of bending stress are also reported. The results indicated that: (a) polished rectangular specimens had an endurance limit about 30 percent less than that obtained for round specimens; (b) a comparison of endurance limits obtained from tests on three different types of machine indicated that there was no apparent effect of speed of testing on the endurance limit for the range of speeds used (1,750 to 13,000 rpm). (c) the fatigue strength (endurance limit) of the X76S-T alloy was greatly decreased by the presence of a notch in the specimens; (d) no complete fractures of the entire specimens occurred in notched fatigue specimens when subjected to stress cycles for which the mean stress at the notch during the cycle was a compressive stress; for this test condition a microscopic cracking occurred near the root of the notch and was used as a criterion of failure of the specimen. (e) as the mean stress at the notch was decreased from a tensile (+) stress to a compressive (-) stress, it was found that the alternating stress that could be superimposed on the mean stress in the cycle without causing failure of the specimens was increased.

ALUMINUM ALLOYS-ALCOA X76ST-FATIGUE↗
NASA NTRS2016

Evaluation of the Hinge Moment and Normal Force Aerodynamic Loads from a Seamless Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge Flap in Flight

A seamless adaptive compliant trailing edge (ACTE) flap was demonstrated in flight on a Gulfstream III aircraft at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. The trailing edge flap was deflected between minus 2 deg up and plus 30 deg down in flight. The safety-of-flight parameters for the ACTE flap experiment require that flap-to-wing interface loads be sensed and monitored in real time to ensure that the structural load limits of the wing are not exceeded. The attachment fittings connecting the flap to the aircraft wing rear spar were instrumented with strain gages and calibrated using known loads for measuring hinge moment and normal force loads in flight. The safety-of-flight parameters for the ACTE flap experiment require that flap-to-wing interface loads be sensed and monitored in real time to ensure that the structural load limits of the wing are not exceeded. The attachment fittings connecting the flap to the aircraft wing rear spar were instrumented with strain gages and calibrated using known loads for measuring hinge moment and normal force loads in flight. The interface hardware instrumentation layout and load calibration are discussed. Twenty-one applied calibration test load cases were developed for each individual fitting. The 2-sigma residual errors for the hinge moment was calculated to be 2.4 percent, and for normal force was calculated to be 7.3 percent. The hinge moment and normal force generated by the ACTE flap with a hinge point located at 26-percent wing chord were measured during steady state and symmetric pitch maneuvers. The loads predicted from analysis were compared to the loads observed in flight. The hinge moment loads showed good agreement with the flight loads while the normal force loads calculated from analysis were over-predicted by approximately 20 percent. Normal force and hinge moment loads calculated from the pressure sensors located on the ACTE showed good agreement with the loads calculated from the installed strain gages.

Hinge Moment Loads↗