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At least 325 records · Page 18

NASGRO 3.0: A Software for Analyzing Aging Aircraft

Structural integrity analysis of aging aircraft is a critical necessity in view of the increasing numbers of such aircraft in general aviation, the airlines and the military. Efforts are in progress by NASA, the FAA and the DoD to focus attention on aging aircraft safety. The present paper describes the NASGRO software which is well-suited for effectively analyzing the behavior of defects that may be found in aging aircraft. The newly revised Version 3.0 has many features specifically implemented to suit the needs of the aircraft community. The fatigue crack growth computer program NASA/FLAGRO 2.0 was originally developed to analyze space hardware such as the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station and the associated payloads. Due to popular demand, the software was enhanced to suit the needs of the aircraft industry. Major improvements in Version 3.0 are the incorporation of the ability to read aircraft spectra of unlimited size, generation of common aircraft fatigue load blocks, and the incorporation of crack-growth models which include load-interaction effects such as retardation due to overloads and acceleration due to underloads. Five new crack-growth models, viz., generalized Willenborg, modified generalized Willenborg, constant closure model, Walker-Chang model and the deKoning-Newman strip-yield model, have been implemented. To facilitate easier input of geometry, material properties and load spectra, a Windows-style graphical user interface has been developed. Features to quickly change the input and rerun the problem as well as examine the output are incorporated. NASGRO has been organized into three modules, the crack-growth module being the primary one. The other two modules are the boundary element module and the material properties module. The boundary-element module provides the ability to model and analyze complex two-dimensional problems to obtain stresses and stress-intensity factors. The material properties module allows users to store and curve-fit fatigue-crack growth data. On-line help and documentation are provided for each of the modules. In addition to the popular PC windows version, a unix-based X-windows version of NASGRO is also available. A portable C++ class library called WxWindows was used to facilitate cross-platform availability of the software.

Mettu, S. R.↗

Analysis of instability-related growth of a through-width delamination

The effect of various parameters on instability related delamination growth was studied. The configuration studied consisted of a thick composite laminate with a single through width delamination located near one surface. Both mechanical and thermal loads were considered. It is assumed that GI and GII govern delamination growth. An approximate superposition stress analysis was developed which gives closed form expressions for GI and GII. It is found that both GI and GII are very sensitive to delamination length and location through the thickness and that the magnitude of GI is also sensitive to initial imperfection. Critical loads for delamination growth are calculated based on three growth criteria. Large differences in the predictions highlight the need for a verified mixed mode delamination growth criterion.

Whitcomb, J. D.↗

The relationship between observed fatigue damage and life estimation models

Observations of the surface of laboratory specimens subjected to axial and torsional fatigue loadings has resulted in the identification of three damage fatigue phenomena: crack nucleation, shear crack growth, and tensile crack growth. Material, microstructure, state of stress/strain, and loading amplitude all influence which of the three types of fatigue damage occurs during a dominant fatigue life fraction. Fatigue damage maps are employed to summarize the experimental observations. Appropriate bulk stress/strain damage parameters are suggested to model fatigue damage for the dominant fatigue life fraction. Extension of the damage map concept to more complex loadings is presented.

Kurath, Peter↗

Observations of fatigue crack growth rate and closure behavior in 7475-T731 aluminum under variable amplitude loading

Simultaneous measures of fatigue crack propagation rate and crack closure were taken from 7475-T731 aluminum alloy center cracked tensile specimens under variable amplitude loading conditions. Results indicate the presence of load interaction in a variety of repeated variable amplitude loading blocks. Load interaction results in retardation of the propagation rate for most loading blocks examined in the study. Closure did not explain observed delay behavior associated with high stress ratio and single peak overloads. Primary influences on the crack opening stress intensity level include the maximum stress intensity of the repeated loading block, the minimum stress intensity of the block, and the number of fatigue cycles between overloads of the block.

Turner, Charles C.↗

Integrity of Ceramic Parts Predicted When Loads and Temperatures Fluctuate Over Time

Brittle materials are being used, and being considered for use, for a wide variety of high performance applications that operate in harsh environments, including static and rotating turbine parts for unmanned aerial vehicles, auxiliary power units, and distributed power generation. Other applications include thermal protection systems, dental prosthetics, fuel cells, oxygen transport membranes, radomes, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). In order for these high-technology ceramics to be used successfully for structural applications that push the envelope of materials capabilities, design engineers must consider that brittle materials are designed and analyzed differently than metallic materials. Unlike ductile metals, brittle materials display a stochastic strength response because of the combination of low fracture toughness and the random nature of the size, orientation, and distribution of inherent microscopic flaws. This plus the fact that the strength of a component under load may degrade over time because of slow crack growth means that a probabilistic-based life-prediction methodology must be used when the tradeoffs of failure probability, performance, and useful life are being optimized. The CARES/Life code (which was developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center) predicts the probability of ceramic components failing from spontaneous catastrophic rupture when these components are subjected to multiaxial loading and slow crack growth conditions. Enhancements to CARES/Life now allow for the component survival probability to be calculated when loading and temperature vary over time.

Nemeth, Noel N.↗

Effect of Measured Welding Residual Stresses on Crack Growth

Welding residual stresses in thin plate A516-70 steel and 2219-T87 aluminum butt weldments were measured by the strain-gage hole drilling and X-ray diffraction methods. The residual stress data were used to construct 3D strain fields which were modeled as thermally induced strains. These 3D strain fields were then analyzed with the WARP31) FEM fracture analysis code in order to predict their effect on fatigue and on fracture. For analyses of fatigue crack advance and subsequent verification testing, fatigue crack growth increments were simulated by successive saw-cuts and incremental loading to generate, as a function of crack length, effects on crack growth of the interaction between residual stresses and load induced stresses. The specimen experimental response was characterized and compared to the WARM linear elastic and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics analysis predictions. To perform the fracture analysis, the plate material's crack tearing resistance was determined by tests of thin plate M(T) specimens. Fracture analyses of these specimen were performed using WARP31D to determine the critical Crack Tip Opening Angle [CTOA] of each material. These critical CTOA values were used to predict crack tearing and fracture in the weldments. To verify the fracture predictions, weldment M(T) specimen were tested in monotonic loading to fracture while characterizing the fracture process.

Hampton, Roy W.↗

Computational Assessment of the Opening Mode Facesheet-to-Core Fracture Toughness of a Thin-Gage Facesheet Sandwich Structure

The single-cantilevered beam test (SCB) is currently being considered for standardization for measuring the opening mode fracture toughness of sandwich structures subjected to facesheet-to-core separation. At present, the Area method is considered the benchmark method for determining energy required to propagate the crack. This method is problematic since it requires periodic unloading and cannot be evaluated instantaneously. Therefore, a method is needed to accurately and instantaneously calculate opening mode fracture toughness. In previous work, SCB tests with thin-gauge facesheets were performed to compare the J-integral approach to data reduction methods including the Modified Beam Theory (MBT) and the Area method. Large deviations (over 10%) in the calculated fracture toughness were observed between the J-integral and MBT for large displacements. In this study, a simulated SCB experiment using a virtual crackclosure technique was performed to assess the previously observed discrepancies. The predicted load displacement response, the predicted angle at the load application point, and the predicted crack growth results are in good agreement (within 5%) with the corresponding experimental data. Using the predicted load and angles, the predicted J-integral is in good agreement (within 10%) with the experimentally obtained solution. Using the MBT approach, the previously observed deviations in the fracture toughness were determined to be associated with the empirical extrapolation procedure to estimate the crack-root rotation correction from nonlinear compliance curves. The nonlinear compliance is determined to be associated with large displacement effects observed within the predicted and experimental results.

Sandwich Composite↗

Structural durability of stiffened composite shells

The durability of a stiffened composite cylindrical shell panel is investigated under several loading conditions. An integrated computer code is utilized for the simulation of load induced structural degradation. Damage initiation, growth, and accumulation up to the stage of propagation to fracture are included in the computational simulation. Results indicate significant differences in the degradation paths for different loading cases. The effects of combined loading on structural durability and ultimate structural strength of a stiffened shell are assessed.

Minnetyan, Levon↗

Structural durability of stiffened composite shells

The durability of a stiffened composite cylindrical shell panel is investigated under several loading conditions. An integrated computer code is utilized for the simulation of load induced structural degradation. Damage initiation, growth, and accumulation up to the stage of propagation to fracture and included in the computational simulation. Results indicate significant differences in the degradation paths for different loading cases. Effects of combined loading on structural durability and ultimate structural strength of a stiffened shell are assessed.

Minnetyan, Levon↗

Differences in Femoral Geometry and Structure Due to Immobilization

Reduction in bone mass of the lower extremity is well documented in individuals with paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI). The consequent osteopenia leads to elevated fracture risk with fractures occurring more commonly in the femoral shaft and supracondylar regions than the hip. A model has recently been described to estimate geometry and structure of the femoral midshaft from whole body scans by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Increases in femoral geometric and structural properties during growth were primarily related to mechanical loading as reflected by body mass. In this study, we investigate the relationship between body mass and femoral geometry and structure in adults with normal habitual mechanical loading patterns and those with severely reduced loading. The subjects were 78 ambulatory men (aged 20-72 yrs) and 113 men with complete paralysis from SCI of more than 4 years duration (aged 21 73 yrs). Subregional analysis was performed on DXA whole body scans to obtain bone mineral content (BMC, g), cortical thickness (cm), crosssectional moment of inertia (CSMI, cm4), and section modulus (cm3) of the femoral midshaft. All measured bone variables were significantly lower in SCI compared with ambulatory subjects: -29% (BMC), -33% (cortical thickness), -23% (CSMI), and -22% (section modulus) while body mass was not significantly different. However, the associations between body mass and bone properties were notably different; r2 values were higher for ambulatory than SCI subjects in regressions of body mass on BMC (0.48 vs 0.20), CSMI (0.59 vs 0.32), and section modulus (0.59 vs 0.31). No association was seen between body mass and cortical thickness for either group. The greatest difference between groups is in the femoral cortex, consistent with reduced bone mass via endosteal expansion. The relatively lesser difference in geometric and structural properties implies that there is less effect on mechanical integrity than would be expected from bone mass results alone. The reduced association in SCI subjects between body mass and bone properties is not unexpected. Although mean body mass differs little between ambulatory and SCI individuals, the association between body mass and in vivo skeletal loading is no longer present, as mechanical influences are removed except for transfer activities. The residual association is probably attributable to the strength of this influence during growth. These results highlight the importance of examining geometry and structure in conjunction with bone mass.

Kiratli, Beatrice Jenny↗

Evaluation of feasibility of measuring EHD film thickness associated with cryogenic fluids

The feasibility of measuring elastohydrodynamic (EHD) films as formed with a cryogenic (LN2) fluid is evaluated. Modifications were made to an existing twin disk EHD apparatus to allow for disk lubrication with liquid nitrogen. This disk apparatus is equipped with an X-ray system for measuring the thickness of any lubricant film that is formed between the disks. Several film thickness experiments were conducted with the apparatus which indicate that good lubrication films are filmed with LN2. In addition to the film thickness studies, failure analyses of three bearings were conducted. The HPOTP turbine end bearings had experienced axial loads of 36,000 to 44,000 N (8,000 to 10,000 lb). High continuous radial loads were also experienced, which were most likely caused by thermal growth of the inner race. The resulting high internal loads caused race spalling and ball wear to occur.

Kannel, J. W.↗

Anthropogenic Sulphur Dioxide Load over China as Observed from Different Satellite Sensors

China, with its rapid economic growth and immense exporting power, has been the focus of many studies during this previous decade quantifying its increasing emissions contribution to the Earth's atmosphere. With a population slowly shifting towards enlarged power and purchasing needs, the ceaseless inauguration of new power plants, smelters, refineries and industrial parks leads infallibly to increases in sulphur dioxide, SO2, emissions. The recent capability of next generation algorithms as well as new space-borne instruments to detect anthropogenic SO2 loads has enabled a fast advancement in this field. In the following work, algorithms providing total SO2 columns over China based on SCIAMACHY/Envisat, OMI/Aura and GOME2/MetopA observations are presented. The need for post-processing and gridding of the SO2 fields is further revealed in this work, following the path of previous publications. Further, it is demonstrated that the usage of appropriate statistical tools permits studying parts of the datasets typically excluded, such as the winter months loads. Focusing on actual point sources, such as megacities and known power plant locations, instead of entire provinces, monthly mean time series have been examined in detail. The sharp decline in SO2 emissions in more than 90% - 95% of the locations studied confirms the recent implementation of government desulphurisation legislation; however, locations with increases, even for the previous five years, are also identified. These belong to provinces with emerging economies which are in haste to install power plants and are possibly viewed leniently by the authorities, in favour of growth. The SO2 load seasonality has also been examined in detail with a novel mathematical tool, with 70% of the point sources having a statistically significant annual cycle with highs in winter and lows in summer, following the heating requirements of the Chinese population.

Sulphur dioxide; China; Satellite remote sensing; ↗

Impact of remote sensing upon the planning, management, and development of water resources

Principal water resources users were surveyed to determine the impact of remote data streams on hydrologic computer models. Analysis of responses demonstrated that: most water resources effort suitable to remote sensing inputs is conducted through federal agencies or through federally stimulated research; and, most hydrologic models suitable to remote sensing data are federally developed. Computer usage by major water resources users was analyzed to determine the trends of usage and costs for the principal hydrologic users/models. The laws and empirical relationships governing the growth of the data processing loads were described and applied to project the future data loads. Data loads for ERTS CCT image processing were computed and projected through the 1985 era.

Castruccio, P. A.↗

Automated predesign of aircraft

Program uses multistation structural-synthesis to size and design box-beam structures for transport aircraft. Program optimizes static strength and scales up to satisfy fatigue and fracture criteria. It has multimaterial capability and library of materials properties, including advanced composites. Program can be used to evaluate impact on weight of variables such as materials, types of construction, structural configurations, minimum gage limits, applied loads, fatigue lives, crack-growth lives, initial crack sizes, and residual strengths.

Poe, C. C., Jr.↗

Micromechanics of slip bands on a free surface

A micromechanics analysis for the formation and propagation of slip bands on the free surface of a polycrystal under monotonic loading is presented. For the growth of slip bands, the analysis satisfies the conditions of both equilibrium and displacement continuity, as well as the relation between slip and the resolved shear stress throughout the polycrystal. Numerical calculations show how the microstress field causes the concentration of plastic deformation in discrete sliding bands and give results which are in good qualitative agreement with known slip band observations on aluminum single crystals.

Lin, S. R.↗

Stress rate and proof-testing of silicon wafers

Fracture mechanics test methods were applied to evaluate the proof-test characteristics of single-crystal silicon wafers. The results indicate that the strength distribution of silicon wafers is truncated by proof-testing. No subcritical crack growth occurred during proof-loading, as inferred from the lack of a stress-rate effect on strength. Mechanical proof-testing appears to be an effective method for eliminating weak samples before cell processing.

Chen, C. P.↗

Life prediction and constitutive behavior

One of the primary drivers that prompted the initiation of the hot section technology (HOST) program was the recognized need for improved cyclic durability of costly hot section components. All too frequently, fatigue in one form or another was directly responsible for the less than desired durability, and prospects for the future weren't going to improve unless a significant effort was mounted to increase our knowledge and understanding of the elements governing cyclic crack initiation and propagation lifetime. Certainly one of the important factors is the ability to perform accurate structural stress-strain analyses on a routine basis to determine the magnitudes of the localized stresses and strains since it is these localized conditions that govern the initiation and crack growth processes. Developing the ability to more accurately predict crack initiation lifetimes and cyclic crack growth rates for the complex loading conditions found in turbine engine hot sections is of course the ultimate goal of the life prediction research efforts. It has been found convenient to divide the research efforts into those dealing with nominally isotropic and anisotropic alloys; the latter for application to directionally solidified and single crystal turbine blades.

Halford, G. R.↗

Toughened composites; Proceedings of the Symposium, Houston, TX, Mar. 13-15, 1985

The papers presented in this volume provide an overview of current research aimed at the development of tougher high-performance continuous graphite fiber composites for aerospace applications. Topics discussed include toughened composites selection criteria, micromechanisms of fracture in toughened graphite/epoxy laminates, the characterization of edge delamination growth in laminates under fatigue loading, and rate effects on delamination fracture toughness of a toughened graphite/epoxy. Papers are also presented on the development of residual thermal stresses in amorphous and semicrystalline thermoplastic matrix composites, structural property improvements through hybridized composites, and screening of advanced matrix resin systems in high performance aircraft.

Johnston, Norman J.↗