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At least 289 records · Page 16

Finite Element Analysis of Magnetic Damping Effects on G-Jitter Induced Fluid Flow

This paper reports some interim results on numerical modeling and analyses of magnetic damping of g-jitter driven fluid flow in microgravity. A finite element model is developed to represent the fluid flow, thermal and solute transport phenomena in a 2-D cavity under g-jitter conditions with and without an applied magnetic field. The numerical model is checked by comparing with analytical solutions obtained for a simple parallel plate channel flow driven by g-jitter in a transverse magnetic field. The model is then applied to study the effect of steady state g-jitter induced oscillation and on the solute redistribution in the liquid that bears direct relevance to the Bridgman-Stockbarger single crystal growth processes. A selection of computed results is presented and the results indicate that an applied magnetic field can effectively damp the velocity caused by g-jitter and help to reduce the time variation of solute redistribution.

Pan, Bo↗

Adaptive finite element analysis of hypersonic laminar flows for aerothermal load predictions

The use of an adaptive mesh refinement procedure for analyzing hypersonic laminar flows with application to aerothermal load predictions is described. The adaptation procedure, which uses both quadrilateral and triangular elements, is implemented with the multistep Galerkin-Runge-Kutta scheme. Elements that lie in regions of strong gradients are refined based on indicators to obtain better definition of flow features. The effectiveness of the adaptive procedure is demonstrated by modeling Mach 11.7 flow over a 15-deg ramp. Numerical results are compared with predictions of strong interaction theories and experimental data. Surface quantities such as heating rates and pressure loads, critical for the effective design of high-speed vehicles, are found to be in good agreement with experimental values.

Ramakrishnan, R.↗

Nonlinear finite element analysis: An alternative formulation

A geometrical nonlinear analysis based on an alternative definition of strain is presented. Expressions for strain are obtained by computing the change in length of the base vectors in the curvilinear element coordinate system. The isoparametric element formulation is assumed in the global Cartesian coordinate system. The approach is based on the minimization of the strain energy, and the resulting nonlinear equations are solved by the modified Newton method. Integration of the first and second variation of the strain energy is performed numerically in the case of two and three dimensional elements. Application is made to a simple long cantilever beam.

Merazzi, S.↗

Finite element analysis of moisture effects in graphite-epoxy composites

A numerical analysis procedure is developed for the micro-mechanical investigation of moisture effects on graphite-epoxy composites. The procedure employs a nonlinear constitutive relationship in a finite element formulation. A quasi-Newton method is used to solve the resulting nonlinear algebraic equations. The results presented indicate that the stresses at the graphite-epoxy interface have a strong dependence on moisture content, fiber spacing, and applied load.

Tobing, F. E. L.↗

The vibration characteristics of a coupled helicopter rotor-fuselage by a finite element analysis

The dynamic coupling between the rotor system and the fuselage of a simplified helicopter model in hover was analytically investigated. Mass, aerodynamic damping, and elastic and centrifugal stiffness matrices are presented for the analytical model; the model is based on a beam finite element, with polynomial mass and stiffness distributions for both the rotor and fuselage representations. For this analytical model, only symmetric fuselage and collective blade degrees of freedom are treated. Real and complex eigen-analyses are carried out to obtain coupled rotor-fuselage natural modes and frequencies as a function of rotor speed. Vibration response results are obtained for the coupled system subjected to a radially uniform, harmonic blade loading. The coupled response results are compared with response results from an uncoupled analysis in which hub loads for an isolated rotor system subjected to the same sinusoidal blade loading as the coupled system are applied to a free-free fuselage.

Rutkowski, M. J.↗

Finite element analysis of unsteady incompressible flow around an oscillating obstacle of arbitrary shape.

An analytical procedure based on Navier-Stokes equations was developed for representing unsteady flow patterns around oscillating obstacles. A variational formulation of the Helmholtz vorticity equation was discretized in finite element form and integrated numerically. At each step of the numerical integration the velocity field around the obstacle was determined from the finite element solution of Poisson's equation. The time-dependent boundary conditions around the oscillating obstacle were introduced as external constraints at each time step of the numerical integration. The obtained results for a cylinder and an airfoil were illustrated in the form of streamlines and vorticity and pressure distributions.

Bratanow, T.↗

Symbolic derivation of material property matrices in finite element analysis

The principles and operation of MMAX, a symbolic-computation program which automates the process of generating property matrices for structural materials, are briefly described and illustrated with sample analyses of a rubberlike material and an elastoplastic material. MMAX is written in LISP under the symbolic finite-element generator FINGER and the general symbolic manipulator MACSYMA; it first derives the formulas required by mathematical manipulation, and then translates the formulas into FORTRAN code, adapted to the particular type of machine to be used for the numerical calculations. This approach is shown to combine efficiently the advantages of symbolic and numerical computation for engineering applications.

Tan, H. Q.↗

Vibration Propagation of Gear Dynamics in a Gear-Bearing-Housing System Using Mathematical Modeling and Finite Element Analysis

Vibration and noise caused by gear dynamics at the meshing teeth propagate through power transmission components to the surrounding environment. This study is devoted to developing computational tools to investigate the vibro-acoustic propagation of gear dynamics through a gearbox using different bearings. Detailed finite element/contact mechanics and boundary element models of the gear/bearing/housing system are established to compute the system vibration and noise propagation. Both vibration and acoustic models are validated by experiments including the vibration modal testing and sound field measurements. The effectiveness of each bearing type to disrupt vibration propagation is speed-dependent. Housing plays an important role in noise radiation .It, however, has limited effects on gear dynamics. Bearings are critical components in drivetrains. Accurate modeling of rolling element bearings is essential to assess vibration and noise of drivetrain systems. This study also seeks to fully describe the vibro-acoustic propagation of gear dynamics through a power-transmission system using rolling element and fluid film wave bearings. Fluid film wave bearings, which have higher damping than rolling element bearings, could offer an energy dissipation mechanism that reduces the gearbox noise. The effectiveness of each bearing type to disrupt vibration propagation in explored using multi-body computational models. These models include gears, shafts, rolling element and fluid film wave bearings, and the housing. Radiated noise is mapped from the gearbox surface to surrounding environment. The effectiveness of rolling element and fluid film wave bearings in breaking the vibro-acoustic propagation path from the gear to the housing is investigated.

Parker, Robert G.↗

Real-time elemental analysis of liquids for process monitoring using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with a liquid wheel sampling approach

This article presents an engineered sampling system that used a rotating wheel to form a thin liquid layer, permitting the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for in situ, real-time elemental impurity quantification during liquid processing. The sampling approach was demonstrated on eight elements from across the periodic table (Na, Al, K, Ca, Ti, Sr, Mo, and Yb). Univariate and multivariate calibrations were presented for each element. The average value for percent root mean square errors of cross-validation for the multivariate models was 3.64%, highlighting the method's strong prediction accuracy. Additionally, the limits of detection for each analyte were estimated from their univariate models: Na = 0.0532, Al = 18.5, K = 0.105, Ca = 0.273, Ti = 67.7, Sr = 0.640, Mo = 22.4, and Yb = 22.9 μg mL –1 . Finally, a test in which multivariate models were used to monitor a liquid system for 80 min was performed to investigate the real-time monitoring capabilities of this liquid LIBS sampling approach. Rigorous measurements were performed to effectively predict the absence and concentrations of multiple analytes as they were spiked and diluted. This demonstration showed the feasibility of using LIBS for real-time liquid quantification models with estimated precision ≤ 8.1%. Finally, the limitations of this approach and potential future improvements are discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Interplanetary dust - Trace element analysis of individual particles by neutron activation

Although micrometeorites of cometary origin are thought to be the dominant component of interplanetary dust, it has never been possible to positively identify such micrometer-sized particles. Two such particles have been identified as definitely micrometeorites since their abundances of volatile and nonvolatile trace elements closely match those of primitive solar system material.

Ganapathy, R.↗

Nonlinear finite-element analysis of laminated composite shells

Two aspects of the geometrically nonlinear analysis of laminated composite shells are considered in this paper. The first pertains to the simplifications and computational advantages resulting from the use of group-theoretic methods in conjunction with computerized symbolic (algebraic) manipulation in the element development. The second aspect pertains to the combined effects of shear deformation and nonlinearity on the accuracy and convergence of two-dimensional, shear-flexible stiffness finite element models.

Noor, A. K.↗

Recent developments in finite element analysis for transonic airfoils

The prediction of aerodynamic forces in the transonic regime generally requires a flow field calculation to solve the governing non-linear mixed elliptic-hyperbolic partial differential equations. Finite difference techniques were developed to the point that design and analysis application are routine, and continual improvements are being made by various research groups. The principal limitation in extending finite difference methods to complex three-dimensional geometries is the construction of a suitable mesh system. Finite element techniques are attractive since their application to other problems have permitted irregular mesh elements to be employed. The purpose of this paper is to review the recent developments in the application of finite element methods to transonic flow problems and to report some recent results.

Hafez, M. M.↗

Evaluation of the use of a singularity element in finite element analysis of center-cracked plates

Two different methods are applied to the analyses of finite width linear elastic plates with central cracks. Both methods give displacements as a primary part of the solution. One method makes use of Fourier transforms. The second method employs a coarse mesh of triangular second-order finite elements in conjunction with a single singularity element subjected to appropriate additional constraints. The displacements obtained by these two methods are in very good agreement. The results suggest considerable potential for the use of a cracked element for related crack problems, particularly in connection with the extension to nonlinear material behavior.

Mendelson, A.↗

Finite element analysis of the effect of a non-planar solid-liquid interface on the lateral solute segregation during unidirectional solidification

The effect of solid-liquid interface shape on lateral solute segregation during steady-state unidirectional solidification of a binary mixture is calculated under the assumption of no convection in the liquid. A finite element technique is employed to compute the concentration field in the liquid and the lateral segregation in the solid with a curved boundary between the liquid and solid phases. The computational model is constructed assuming knowledge of the solid-liquid interface shape; no attempt is made to relate this shape to the thermal field. The influence of interface curvature on the lateral compositional variation is investigated over a range of system parameters including diffusivity, growth speed, distribution coefficient, and geometric factors of the system. In the limiting case of a slightly nonplanar interface, numerical results from the finite element technique are in good agreement with the analytical solutions of Coriell and Sekerka obtained by using linear theory. For the general case of highly non-planar interface shapes, the linear theory fails and the concentration field in the liquid as well as the lateral solute segregation in the solid can be calculated by using the finite element method.

Carlson, F. M.↗

Three-Dimensional Effects in the Plate Element Analysis of Stitched Textile Composites

Three-dimensional effects related to the analysis of stitched textile composites are discussed. The method of calculation is based on the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT), and models that model the upper and lower surface of the delamination or debond with two-dimensional (2D) plate elements rather than three-dimensional (3D) solid elements. The major advantages of the plate element modeling technique are a smaller model size and simpler geometric modeling. Details of the modeling of the laminated plate and the stitching are discussed.

Glaessgen, E. H.↗

Probabilistic Fatigue Damage Prognosis Using a Surrogate Model Trained Via 3D Finite Element Analysis

Utilizing inverse uncertainty quantification techniques, structural health monitoring can be integrated with damage progression models to form probabilistic predictions of a structure's remaining useful life. However, damage evolution in realistic structures is physically complex. Accurately representing this behavior requires high-fidelity models which are typically computationally prohibitive. In the present work, a high-fidelity finite element model is represented by a surrogate model, reducing computation times. The new approach is used with damage diagnosis data to form a probabilistic prediction of remaining useful life for a test specimen under mixed-mode conditions.

Leser, Patrick E.↗

Finite Element Analysis of the Random Response Suppression of Composite Panels at Elevated Temperatures using Shape Memory Alloy Fibers

A feasibility study on the use of shape memory alloys (SMA) for suppression of the random response of composite panels due to acoustic loads at elevated temperatures is presented. The constitutive relations for a composite lamina with embedded SMA fibers are developed. The finite element governing equations and the solution procedures for a composite plate subjected to combined acoustic and thermal loads are presented. Solutions include: 1) Critical buckling temperature; 2) Flat panel random response; 3) Thermal postbuckling deflection; 4) Random response of a thermally buckled panel. The preliminary results demonstrate that the SMA fibers can completely eliminate the thermal postbuckling deflection and significantly reduce the random response at elevated temperatures.

Turner, Travis L.↗

Hybrid-finite-element analysis of some nonlinear and 3-dimensional problems of engineering fracture mechanics

In this paper, efficient numerical methods for the analysis of crack-closure effects on fatigue-crack-growth-rates, in plane stress situations, and for the solution of stress-intensity factors for arbitrary shaped surface flaws in pressure vessels, are presented. For the former problem, an elastic-plastic finite element procedure valid for the case of finite deformation gradients is developed and crack growth is simulated by the translation of near-crack-tip elements with embedded plastic singularities. For the latter problem, an embedded-elastic-singularity hybrid finite element method, which leads to a direct evaluation of K-factors, is employed.

Atluri, S. N.↗