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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 253 records · Page 14

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NASA NTRS1984

Aeromechanical stability analysis of a multirotor vehicle model representing a hybrid heavy lift airship (HHLA)

Hybrid Heavy Lift Airship (HHLA) is a proposed candidate vehicle aimed at providing heavy lift capability at low cost. This vehicle consists of a buoyant envelope attached to a supporting structure to which four rotor systems, taken from existing helicopters are attached. Nonlinear equations of motion capable of modelling the dynamics of this coupled multi-rotor/support frame/vehicle system have been developed. Using these equations of motion the aeroelastic and aeromechanical stability analysis is performed aimed at identifying potential instabilities which could occur for this type of vehicle. The coupling between various blade, supporting structure and rigid body modes is identified. Furthermore, the effects of changes in buoyancy ratio (Buoyant lift/total weight) on the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle are studied. The dynamic effects found are of considerable importance for the design of such vehicles. The analytical model developed is also useful for studying the aeromechanical stability of single rotor and tandem rotor coupled rotor/fuselage systems.

Venkatesan, C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A two-dimensional primitive equation model of frontogenesis forced by confluence and horizontal shear

A two-dimensional primitive equation model of frontogenesis is presented. The model treats confluence and horizontal shear in combination. The structure and evolution of model frontal zones forced by confluence are described for a control case featuring a zero alongfront thermal gradient and positive and negative thermal gradients, facing downstream. A comparison is made with Miller's (1948) equation for the zero gradient situation to illustrate the significance of horizontal and vertical motions for the structure of the upper level frontal zone. Finally, the effects of ageostrophic circulations on the evolutionary and structural differences of frontal formations are studied.

Keyser, D.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Experimental test of magnetospheric models.

The barium cloud injection deep into the magnetosphere of Sept. 21, 1971, has revealed that the quiet-time near-equatorial nightside magnetic field is significantly different from that predicted by existing quite-time models. The influence of currents flowing on or near the geomagnetic equator gives the field a more tail-like structure at a distance as close as 5 earth radii. Several models have been tried out to obtain a best fit to the experimental observations of the shape of the field-aligned ion cloud. Although this method does not lead to a unique solution, the most acceptable option emerging from this analysis is a quiet-time tilted image-dipole model with a Williams-Mead tail field and a disclike ring current on the geomagnetic equator.

Barish, F. D.↗

NASA NTRS2002

A Procedure for Structural Weight Estimation of Single Stage to Orbit Launch Vehicles (Interim User's Manual)

This is an interim user's manual for current procedures used in the Vehicle Analysis Branch at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, for launch vehicle structural subsystem weight estimation based on finite element modeling and structural analysis. The process is intended to complement traditional methods of conceptual and early preliminary structural design such as the application of empirical weight estimation or application of classical engineering design equations and criteria on one dimensional "line" models. Functions of two commercially available software codes are coupled together. Vehicle modeling and analysis are done using SDRC/I-DEAS, and structural sizing is performed with the Collier Research Corp. HyperSizer program.

Martinovic, Zoran N.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Phase transition to blob-hole coherent structure in the Hasegawa–Mima model for plasmas

An equilibrium statistical mechanics theory for the Hasegawa–Mima equations of toroidal plasmas, with canonical constraint on energy and microcanonical constraint on potential enstrophy, is solved exactly as a spherical model. The use of a canonical energy constraint instead of a fixed-energy microcanonical approach is justified by the preference for viewing real plasmas as an open system. A significant consequence of the results obtained from the partition function, free energy and critical temperature, is the condensation into a ground state exhibiting a blob-hole-like structure observed in real plasmas.

Physics↗

DOE OSTI2021

Fourier-like Thermal Relaxation of Nanoscale Explosive Hot Spots

Hot spots are local regions of high temperature that are widely considered to govern explosive initiation. Hot spot dynamics rests on a delicate balance between heat generation due to chemical reactions and heat loss through thermal conduction, making accurate determinations of the conductivity under extreme conditions a key component of predictive explosive models. We develop here an approach to directly determine the thermal transport properties of explosive hot spots with realistic initial structures through a combination of molecular dynamics (MD) and diffusive heat equation (HEq) modeling. Effective thermal conductivity values are determined by fitting HEq models to MD predictions of long timescale hot spot relaxation. The approach is applied to model hot spots in the molecular crystalline explosive 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) for a range of shock strengths and two limiting cases for impact orientation. Isotropic and anisotropic HEq models yield similar results, despite TATB exhibiting some of the largest and most anisotropic thermal conductivity values for explosive near normal conditions. The conductivity is found to be a strong function of density, which parametrically captures dependence on temperature, pressure, and material state. The associated root-mean-square errors of the fitted HEq models are approximately 5% of MD predicted final equilibrium temperatures. Here, the conductivity values determined here for TATB hot spots are considerably larger than those used in a prior hot spot criticality study, which may significantly impact predictions for critical hot spot sizes. The approach provides a convenient foundation for determining the effective thermal conductivity for hot spot problems in other explosives and directly yields information on reasonable approximations that might be taken in higher-level models for those materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1984

Application of finite element substructuring to composite micromechanics

Finite element substructuring is used to predict unidirectional fiber composite hygral (moisture), thermal, and mechanical properties. COSMIC NASTRAN and MSC/NASTRAN are used to perform the finite element analysis. The results obtained from the finite element model are compared with those obtained from the simplified composite micromechanics equations. A unidirectional composite structure made of boron/HM-epoxy, S-glass/IMHS-epoxy and AS/IMHS-epoxy are studied. The finite element analysis is performed using three dimensional isoparametric brick elements and two distinct models. The first model consists of a single cell (one fiber surrounded by matrix) to form a square. The second model uses the single cell and substructuring to form a nine cell square array. To compare computer time and results with the nine cell superelement model, another nine cell model is constructed using conventional mesh generation techniques. An independent computer program consisting of the simplified micromechanics equation is developed to predict the hygral, thermal, and mechanical properties for this comparison. The results indicate that advanced techniques can be used advantageously for fiber composite micromechanics.

Caruso, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1995

A model of rotationally-sampled wind turbulence for predicting fatigue loads in wind turbines

Empirical equations are presented with which to model rotationally-sampled (R-S) turbulence for input to structural-dynamic computer codes and the calculation of wind turbine fatigue loads. These equations are derived from R-S turbulence data which were measured at the vertical-plane array in Clayton, New Mexico. For validation, the equations are applied to the calculation of cyclic flapwise blade loads for the NASA/DOE Mod-2 2.5-MW experimental HAWT's (horizontal-axis wind turbines), and the results compared to measured cyclic loads. Good correlation is achieved, indicating that the R-S turbulence model developed in this study contains the characteristics of the wind which produce many of the fatigue loads sustained by wind turbines. Empirical factors are included which permit the prediction of load levels at specified percentiles of occurrence, which is required for the generation of fatigue load spectra and the prediction of the fatigue lifetime of structures.

Spera, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A new method for transonic static aeroelasticity problems

A new method has been developed to calculate the steady flow and structural deformations for fluid/structure interaction problems. The discretized fluid dynamic and structural equations are regarded as a single set of coupled, nonlinear, algebraic equations. The equilibrium solution is directly obtained using Newton's method. The governing equations used for the fluid flow are the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations, and a finite-element model is used to represent the structure. This paper describes the analytical method and presents sample calculations demonstrating the technique. The results show rapid convergence and good agreement with experimental data.

Felker, Fort F.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Dynamic analysis of Space Shuttle/RMS configuration using continuum approach

The initial assembly of Space Station Freedom involves the Space Shuttle, its Remote Manipulation System (RMS) and the evolving Space Station Freedom. The dynamics of this coupled system involves both the structural and the control system dynamics of each of these components. The modeling and analysis of such an assembly is made even more formidable by kinematic and joint nonlinearities. The current practice of modeling such flexible structures is to use finite element modeling in which the mass and interior dynamics is ignored between thousands of nodes, for each major component. The model characteristics of only tens of modes are kept out of thousands which are calculated. The components are then connected by approximating the boundary conditions and inserting the control system dynamics. In this paper continuum models are used instead of finite element models because of the improved accuracy, reduced number of model parameters, the avoidance of model order reduction, and the ability to represent the structural and control system dynamics in the same system of equations. Dynamic analysis of linear versions of the model is performed and compared with finite element model results. Additionally, the transfer matrix to continuum modeling is presented.

Ramakrishnan, Jayant↗

NASA NTRS1993

A rapid-distortion-theory turbulence model for developed unsteady wall-bounded flow

A new approach to turbulence modeling in unsteady developed flows has recently been introduced, based on results of rapid distortion theory. The approach involves closing the k-epsilon equations for the organized unsteady component of the flow by modeling local unsteadiness as a rapid distortion of the local structure of the parent turbulent flow, in terms of an effective strain parameter alpha(sub eff). In this paper, the phase-conditioned equations of motion are developed to accommodate a new unsteady dissipation model and local effects of the slow-relaxation time scale of the parent flow. The model equations are tested against measurements of the response of a fully-developed turbulent pipe flow to the superposition of sinusoidal streamwise oscillation. Good agreement is found between measurements and predictions over a wide range of frequencies of unsteadiness, indicating that this approach may be particularly well suited to modeling of unsteady turbulent flows which are perturbations about a well characterized mean.

Brereton, G. J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A constitutive material model for nonlinear finite element structural analysis using an iterative matrix approach

A unified numerical method for the integration of stiff time dependent constitutive equations is presented. The solution process is directly applied to a constitutive model proposed by Bodner. The theory confronts time dependent inelastic behavior coupled with both isotropic hardening and directional hardening behaviors. Predicted stress-strain responses from this model are compared to experimental data from cyclic tests on uniaxial specimens. An algorithm is developed for the efficient integration of the Bodner flow equation. A comparison is made with the Euler integration method. An analysis of computational time is presented for the three algorithms.

Koenig, Herbert A.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Data‐driven variational method for discrepancy modeling: Dynamics with small‐strain nonlinear elasticity and viscoelasticity

Abstract The effective inclusion of a priori knowledge when embedding known data in physics‐based models of dynamical systems can ensure that the reconstructed model respects physical principles, while simultaneously improving the accuracy of the solution in the previously unseen regions of state space. This paper presents a physics‐constrained data‐driven discrepancy modeling method that variationally embeds known data in the modeling framework. The hierarchical structure of the method yields fine scale variational equations that facilitate the derivation of residuals which are comprised of the first‐principles theory and sensor‐based data from the dynamical system. The embedding of the sensor data via residual terms leads to discrepancy‐informed closure models that yield a method which is driven not only by boundary and initial conditions, but also by measurements that are taken at only a few observation points in the target system. Specifically, the data‐embedding term serves as residual‐based least‐squares loss function, thus retaining variational consistency. Another important relation arises from the interpretation of the stabilization tensor as a kernel function, thereby incorporating a priori knowledge of the problem and adding computational intelligence to the modeling framework. Numerical test cases show that when known data is taken into account, the data driven variational (DDV) method can correctly predict the system response in the presence of several types of discrepancies. Specifically, the damped solution and correct energy time histories are recovered by including known data in the undamped situation. Morlet wavelet analyses reveal that the surrogate problem with embedded data recovers the fundamental frequency band of the target system. The enhanced stability and accuracy of the DDV method is manifested via reconstructed displacement and velocity fields that yield time histories of strain and kinetic energies which match the target systems. The proposed DDV method also serves as a procedure for restoring eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a deficient dynamical system when known data is taken into account, as shown in the numerical test cases presented here.

Masud, Arif↗

NASA NTRS1991

Vibration suppression using smart structures

The control of structures for vibration suppression is discussed in the context of using smart materials and structures. Here the use of smart structures refers to using embedded piezoelectric devices as both control actuators and sensors. Using embedded sensors and actuators allows great improvements in performance over traditional structures (both passive and active) for vibration suppression. The application of smart structures to three experimental flexible structures is presented. The first is a flexible beam, the second is a flexible beam undergoing slewing motion, the third is a ribbed antenna. A simple model of a piezoelectric actuator/sensor is presented. The equations of motion for each structure is presented. The control issues considered as those associated with multi-input, multi-output control, PID control and LQR control implementation. A modern control analysis illustrates the usefulness of smart structures for vibration suppression.

Garcia, Ephrahim↗

NASA NTRS1992

Geometric modeling of inflatable structures for lunar base

A modular inflatable structure consisting of thin, composite membranes is presented for use in a lunar base. Results from a linear elastic analysis of the structure indicate that it is feasible in the lunar environment. Further analysis requires solving nonlinear equations and accurately specifying the geometries of the structural members. A computerized geometric modeling technique, using bicubic Bezier surfaces to generate the geometries of the inflatable structure, was conducted. Simulated results are used to create three-dimensional wire frames and solid renderings of the individual components of the inflatable structure. The component geometries are connected into modules, which are then assembled based upon the desired architecture of the structure.

Nowak, Paul S.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Simulating Vibrations in a Complex Loaded Structure

The Dynamic Response Computation (DIRECT) computer program simulates vibrations induced in a complex structure by applied dynamic loads. Developed to enable rapid analysis of launch- and landing- induced vibrations and stresses in a space shuttle, DIRECT also can be used to analyze dynamic responses of other structures - for example, the response of a building to an earthquake, or the response of an oil-drilling platform and attached tanks to large ocean waves. For a space-shuttle simulation, the required input to DIRECT includes mathematical models of the space shuttle and its payloads, and a set of forcing functions that simulates launch and landing loads. DIRECT can accommodate multiple levels of payload attachment and substructure as well as nonlinear dynamic responses of structural interfaces. DIRECT combines the shuttle and payload models into a single structural model, to which the forcing functions are then applied. The resulting equations of motion are reduced to an optimum set and decoupled into a unique format for simulating dynamics. During the simulation, maximum vibrations, loads, and stresses are monitored and recorded for subsequent analysis to identify structural deficiencies in the shuttle and/or payloads.

Cao, Tim T.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Analytical and experimental investigation of the coupled bladed disk/shaft whirl of a cantilevered turbofan

A simple analytical model for the structural dynamics of a rotating flexible blade/rigid disk/flexible cantilevered shaft system yields the equations of motion expressed in the rotating frame, showing that the blade's one-nodal diameter modes dynamically couple to the rigid body whirling motion of the shaft-disk system. This analytical model is correlated with the results of a structural dynamic experiment performed on an aeroelastic rotor fan that is similar to a high bypass ratio shroudless turbofan. The agreement between the predicted and experimental natural frequencies is good, and suggests significant interaction of the one-nodal diameter blade modes with the shaft-disk modes.

Crawley, E. F.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The finite-difference time-domain (FD-TD) method for electromagnetic scattering and interaction problems

The formulation and recent applications of the finite-difference time-domain (FD-TD) method for the numerical modeling of electromagnetic scattering and interaction problems are considered. It is shown that improvements in FD-TD modeling concepts and software implementation often make it a preferable choice for structures which cannot be easily treated by conventional integral equations and asymptotic approaches. Recent FD-TD modeling validations in research areas including coupling to wires and wire bundles in free space and cavities, scattering from surfaces in relativistic motion, inverse scattering, and radiation condition theory, are reviewed. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of FD-TD, and guidelines concerning when FD-TD should and should not be used in high-frequency electromagnetic modeling problems, are summarized.

Taflove, A.↗