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At least 325 records · Page 18

A Fully Nonmetallic Gas Turbine Engine Enabled by Additive Manufacturing of Ceramic Composites: Additive Manufacturing and Characterization of Ceramic Composites - Part III

This publication is the third part of a three part report of the project entitled "A Fully Nonmetallic Gas Turbine Engine Enabled by Additive Manufacturing" funded by NASA Aeronautics Research Institute (NARI). The objective of this project was to conduct additive manufacturing to produce ceramic matrix composite materials and aircraft engine components by the binder jet process. Different SiC powders with median sizes ranging from 9.3 to 53.0 microns were investigated solely and in powder blends in order to maximize powder packing. Various infiltration approaches were investigated to include polycarbosilane (SMP-10), phenolic, and liquid silicon. Single infiltrations of SMP-10 and phenolic only slightly filled in the interior. When the SMP-10 was loaded with sub-micron sized SiC powders, the infiltrant gave a much better result of filling in the interior. Silicon carbide fibers were added to the powder bed to make ceramic matrix composite materials. Microscopy showed that the fibers were well distributed with no preferred orientation on the horizontal plane and fibers in the vertical plane were at angles as much as 45deg. Secondary infiltration steps were necessary to further densify the material. Two to three extra infiltration steps of SMP-10 increased the density by 0.20 to 0.55 g/cc. However, the highest densities achieved were 2.10 to 2.15 g/cc. Mechanical tests consisting of 4 point bend tests were conducted. Samples from the two CMC panels had higher strengths and strains to failure than the samples from the two nonfiber reinforced panels. The highest strengths were from Set N with 65 vol% fiber loading which had an average strength of 66 MPa. Analysis of the fracture surfaces did not reveal pullout of the reinforcing fibers. Blunt fiber failure suggested that there was not composite behavior. The binder jet additive manufacturing method was used to also demonstrate the fabrication of turbine engine vane components of two different designs and sizes. The binder jet method has benefits over the conventional manufacturing of CMCs in that prototype and production parts can be fabricated quickly and economically with no tooling and extensive hand layup.

Additive Manufacturing↗

Analysis of Delamination Growth from Matrix Cracks in Laminates Subjected to Bending Loads

A major source of delamination damage in laminated composite materials is from low-velocity impact. In thin composite laminates under point loads, matrix cracks develop first in the plies, and delaminations then grow from these cracks at the ply interfaces. The purpose of this study was to quantify the combined effects of bending and transverse shear loads on delamination initiation from matrix cracks. Graphite-epoxy laminates with 90 deg. plies on the outside were used to provide a two-dimensional simulation of the damage due to low-velocity impact. Three plate bending problems were considered: a 4-point bending, 3-point bending, and an end-clamped center-loaded plate. Under bending, a matrix crack will form on the tension side of the laminate, through the outer 90 deg. plies and parallel to the fibers. Delaminations will then grow in the interface between the cracked 90 deg. ply and the next adjacent ply. Laminate plate theory was used to derive simple equations relating the total strain energy release rate, G, associated with the delamination growth from a 90 deg. ply crack to the applied bending load and laminate stiffness properties. Three different lay-ups were tested and results compared. Test results verified that the delamination always formed at the interface between the cracked 90 deg. ply and the next adjacent ply. Calculated values for total G sub c from the analysis showed good agreement for all configurations. The analysis was able to predict the delamination onset load for the cases considered. The result indicated that the opening mode component (Mode I) for delamination growth from a matrix crack may be much larger than the component due to interlaminar shear (Mode II).

Murri, G. B.↗

Analysis of delamination growth from matrix cracks in laminates subjected to bending loads

A major source of delamination damage in laminated composite materials is from low-velocity impact. In thin composite laminates under point loads, matrix cracks develop first in the plies, and delaminations then grow from these cracks at the ply interfaces. The purpose of this study was to quantify the combined effects of bending and transverse shear loads on delamination initiation from matrix cracks. Graphite-epoxy laminates with 90 deg plies on the outside were used to provide a two-dimensional simulation of the damage due to low-velocity impact. Three plate bending problems were considered: a 4-point bending, 3-point bending, and an end-clamped center-loaded plate. Under bending, a matrix crack will form on the tension side of the laminate, through the outer 90 deg plies and parallel to the fibers. Delaminations will then grow in the interface between the cracked 90 deg ply and the next adjacent ply. Laminate plate theory was used to derive simple equations relating the total strain energy release rate, G, associated with the delamination growth from a 90 deg ply crack to the applied bending load and laminate stiffness properties. Three different lay-ups were tested and results compared. Test results verified that the delamination always formed at the interface between the cracked 90 deg ply and the next adjacent ply. Calculated values for total G sub c from the analysis showed good agreement for all configurations. The analysis was able to predict the delamination onset load for the cases considered. The result indicated that the opening mode component (Mode I) for delamination growth from a matrix crack may be much larger than the component due to interlaminar shear (Mode II).

Murri, Gretchen Bostaph↗

Main Shaft Bending Moment Analysis for a Gamesa G97 2-MW Wind Turbine

In a collaborative project between Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a cost-effective method to measure dynamic main shaft torque and the influence of non-torque loads was applied to the gearbox of the Gamesa G97 2-megawatt (MW) wind turbine at the NREL Flatirons Campus and verified through a field test campaign that took place in 2023. The method involved the installation of fiber-optic sensors on the ring gear of the gearbox. Additionally, traditional strain gauges and a rotary encoder were installed on the main shaft to measure mechanical torque and orthogonal bending moments. We compare the measured total main shaft bending moments from the field test campaign to those predicted by an updated OpenFAST model of the G97 wind turbine for similar environmental conditions. We also assessed the sensitivity of the predicted bending moment to varying levels of turbulence intensity, shear exponent, and yaw error.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Calibration of strain-gage installations in aircraft structures for the measurement of flight loads

A general method has been developed for calibrating strain-gage installations in aircraft structures, which permits the measurement in flight of the shear or lift, the bending moment, and the torque or pitching moment on the principal lifting or control surfaces. Although the stress in structural members may not be a simple function of the three loads of interest, a straightforward procedure is given for numerically combining the outputs of several bridges in such a way that the loads may be obtained. Extensions of the basic procedure by means of electrical combination of the strain-gage bridges are described which permit compromises between strain-gage installation time, availability of recording instruments, and data reduction time. The basic principles of strain-gage calibration procedures are illustrated by reference to the data for two aircraft structures of typical construction, one a straight and the other a swept horizontal stabilizer.

Skopinski, T H↗

Influence of Finite Element Software on Energy Release Rates Computed Using the Virtual Crack Closure Technique

Strain energy release rates were computed along straight delamination fronts of Double Cantilever Beam, End-Notched Flexure and Single Leg Bending specimens using the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT). Th e results were based on finite element analyses using ABAQUS# and ANSYS# and were calculated from the finite element results using the same post-processing routine to assure a consistent procedure. Mixed-mode strain energy release rates obtained from post-processing finite elem ent results were in good agreement for all element types used and all specimens modeled. Compared to previous studies, the models made of s olid twenty-node hexahedral elements and solid eight-node incompatible mode elements yielded excellent results. For both codes, models made of standard brick elements and elements with reduced integration did not correctly capture the distribution of the energy release rate acr oss the width of the specimens for the models chosen. The results suggested that element types with similar formulation yield matching results independent of the finite element software used. For comparison, m ixed-mode strain energy release rates were also calculated within ABAQUS#/Standard using the VCCT for ABAQUS# add on. For all specimens mod eled, mixed-mode strain energy release rates obtained from ABAQUS# finite element results using post-processing were almost identical to re sults calculated using the VCCT for ABAQUS# add on.

Krueger, Ronald↗

Characterizing Face Sheet/Core Disbonding Using the Single Cantilever Beam Test: Results from an International Round Robin

Test results from an international round robin are presented. The single cantilever beam (SCB) test was used to characterize face sheet/core disbonding in sandwich components in an effort to help standardization. Each of the seven participating laboratories performed a set of five baseline tests using the same protocol, however, using their own specific equipment. In addition, each laboratory performed two sets of tests with altered tests conditions which included using a test fixture with a translating carriage and performing the tests with different loading and unloading speeds. The orientation of the disbond front with respect to the honeycomb core cells was varied and the effect on the fracture toughness was also studied. Additional factors that could influence test results were investigated, such as the use of a saw cut starter disbond as an alternative to Teflon® release film, and the effects of using a face sheet doubler to increase the bending stiffness. For each set of tests, summary results such as load/displacements plots, observed disbond growth location and calculated energy release rates are reported and a comparison of results between labs is presented. Critical strain energy release rate measurements from SCB tests are also compared with measurements made from an alternative test, namely the double cantilever beam with uneven bending moments (DCB-UBM) test, which has been studied extensively at the Technical University of Denmark and proposed as a mixed-mode test standard. A set of recommendations are made with respect to improving the SCB test and a path to standardization is presented.

Ronald Krueger↗

Plane strain fracture toughness tests on 2.4 and 3.9-inch-thick maraging steel specimens at various yield strength levels.

Tests of bend and compact specimens were conducted according to ASTM Tentative Method E 399-70T on a 200 grade maraging steel over a range of yield strengths from 123 to 234 ksi. The toughness of any given yield strength level was greater for the overaged condition than for the underaged. Some results which met the specimen size requirements of the method were distinctly lower than corresponding results from larger specimens. Inconsistencies in both validation and invalidation of results by the requirement for linearity of the test record were also noted.

Fisher, D. M.↗

Strain sensing using optical fibers

The main source of attenuation which will be studied is the optical fiber's sensitivity to bending at radii that are much larger than the radius of the fiber. This type of environmental attenuation causes losses that are a function of the severity of the bend. The average attenuation caused by bending varies exponentially with the bend radius. There are many different fibers, sources, and testing equipment available. This thesis describes tests that were performed to evaluate the variables that effect bending related attenuation and will discuss the consistency of the results. Descriptions and comparisons will be made between single mode and multimode fibers as well as instrumentation comparisons between detection equipment. Detailed analysis of the effects of the whispering gallery mode will be performed along with theorized methods for characterization of these modes.

Houghton, Richard↗

Damage evolution and ductile fracture of commercially-pure titanium sheets subjected to simple tension and cyclic bending under tension

This paper describes a study into the evolution of damage in commercial-purity titanium (CP–Ti) sheets subjected to cyclic bending under tension (CBT) and uniaxial tension (simple tension, ST). Sections were taken from sheets that were strained to various levels under both methods and were imaged using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) to reveal insights into the size, density, and distribution of microvoids in the sheets. Digital image correlation (DIC) was also used to observe the surface strain of CBT and ST sheets during testing. These results showed that elongation to failure (ETF) for CBT deformation is about 2.5× higher than for ST, local longitudinal strains in the bulk of the CBT sample are around 1.3× higher than the peak strain in the ST necked region, and 1.7× higher in the localized region of CBT failure. It was found that the volume-density of voids in both sheets followed a similar exponential increase with strain, reaching nearly 45× higher in the CBT than the ST sheets before the onset of failure, mainly due to the higher strain levels achieved. A higher volume density of voids developed in the center of sheets at high levels of strain, for both processes, with the density in the sheet center becoming approximately double that found near the edges. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the fracture surface of CBT and ST sheets after failure. The observations are presented and discussed highlighting the CBT process as effective to delay ductile fracture of the CP-Ti sheets.

Commercially pure titanium↗

Effect of Mechanical Deformation on the Dielectric Electric Field in Dynamic Umbilical Cables

Wave energy converter (WEC) systems have unique umbilical cable design requirements compared to conventional marine designs. Due to their dynamic nature, WEC umbilical cables are required to handle increased loads and larger motions over longer deployment scenarios. However, the life expectancy of dynamic umbilical cables is predominantly analyzed for mechanical fatigue, with little consideration given to the effect of mechanical stress on the response of the dielectric as it has been previously assumed that the non-polymeric components will fail prior to the polymeric components. In this work, we explore the effects of mechanical bending on the concentration of the electric field in the insulation of a conceptual three-core dynamic umbilical cable to determine the limiting requirements for life expectancy. A conceptual industrial schematic of a medium voltage dynamic umbilical cable was used as the basis for the WEC system under study. Simulations on the dynamic umbilical cable were performed using COMSOL Multiphysics®. Mechanical loads up to the calculated limit (2.64 m minimum bend radius or 388 kN transverse load) were applied to the dynamic umbilical in a step-wise fashion with one end of the umbilical cable fixed. One-way coupling in three-dimensions was conducted by first determining the engineering strains, then using the engineering strains as the initial condition for determination of the Green-Lagrange strains, and lastly calculating the electric field in the deformed dielectric. Based upon the input load, deformation of the dielectric at the minimum bend radius produced an increase in the electric field of more than 12% when compared to the undeformed umbilical cable, which may lead to dielectric breakdown of the insulation prior to mechanical failure of the umbilical cable.

Spencer, Mychal P.↗

On the influence of test speed and environment in the fatigue life of small diameter nitinol and stainless steel wire

Here, to better understand the complex interplay of speed and environment on metals commonly used in implants, rotary bend fatigue tests were conducted on stainless steel and nitinol wires. A range of alternating strains was tested to create ε-N curves at two speeds (physiologic and accelerated) and in three environments (deionized water at body temperature, phosphate buffered saline at body temperature, and laboratory air at ambient room temperature). Results indicate that speed and environment can affect the observed fatigue life in nuanced ways. An electropotential monitoring technique was demonstrated to characterize fatigue crack growth which may be useful in future investigations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mechanical response of shape-recovering metamaterial structures fabricated by additive manufacturing

Abstract Three different metamaterial structures were fabricated using stereolithography 3D printing and a shape recovering material. Mechanical properties and recovery efficiency were assessed after compression testing. All three structures exhibited similar initial specific compressive moduli, while the highest specific toughness was observed for the stretch-dominated structure. The three metamaterial structures were re-tested after shape recovery. Significant strengthening was observed for all structures, with the bend-stretch-dominated structure strengthening to the highest degree. This strengthening phenomenon was characterized as strain hardening. It was found that the strengthening is highly geometry dependent. The geometry with stretch-dominated behavior exhibited the highest mechanical properties after a second test was performed. Improvements in specific toughness of up to 67% were observed after the second compressive test.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

An experimental evaluation of the stresses in drilled balls

Stresses in dimensionally similar large models of 40-, 50- and 60-percent mass reduction cylindrically hollow 'drilled' bearing balls were experimentally evaluated with flat strain gage rosettes. Dimensionless principal stress coefficients were calculated and were applied to estimate the bending stresses in the drilled balls of three series of full-scale bearing experiments. Stresses were highest when the applied load approached the edge of the hole, and ranged up to almost 620 million Newtons per sq m at the bore.

Nypan, L. J.↗

Mechanical properties testing and results for thermal barrier coatings

Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBC's) provide a significant challenge in the evaluation of their mechanical properties in ways that provide data that is not specimen dependent. The paper reviews various developments of the principal author over the past several years for both plasma sprayed and physical vapor deposited (PVD) materials, as well as new data on the fatigue behavior of one material system. The test methods that have been employed address tensile and compressive modulus and ultimate strength, tensile and compressive fatigue strength, and interfacial strength. This testing is now underway. Property testing is especially difficult for TBC's owing to the limitation on fabrication thickness of the coating. Bending tests are not used as these tests do not provide sufficiently uniform states of strain for property evaluations. Test specimens with uniform states of axial stress have been devised for each material system. The results show that the material property results between various experimenters and experimental methods are not yet consistent. However, the results provide critical design data at a suitable level of accuracy for life prediction. The paper will review both tensile and compressive mechanical testing of uniaxial specimens showing property dependencies on material density and temperatures for both material systems. Successful test results for both tensile and compressive fatigue loadings will be given. The test data shows that the fatigue strength of the TBC's is highly stress dependent in both loading conditions and is likely to depend on stress range and not mean stress. The fatigue strength of the plasma sprayed TBC's appears to increase with elevated temperatures in a range of temperatures below the creep activation temperature for the materials. The plasma sprayed TBC materials have been confirmed to have cyclic hysteresis at all temperature levels down to room temperature. Limited failure analysis data for various specimens suggest that the failure modes are driven by normal geometric discontinuities in the TBC's.

Cruse, T. A.↗

Toward Effective Shell Modeling of Wrinkled Thin-Film Membranes Exhibiting Stress Concentrations

Geometrically nonlinear shell finite element analysis has recently been applied to solar-sail membrane problems in order to model the out-of-plane deformations due to structural wrinkling. Whereas certain problems lend themselves to achieving converged nonlinear solutions that compare favorably with experimental observations, solutions to tensioned membranes exhibiting high stress concentrations have been difficult to obtain even with the best nonlinear finite element codes and advanced shell element technology. In this paper, two numerical studies are presented that pave the way to improving the modeling of this class of nonlinear problems. The studies address the issues of mesh refinement and stress-concentration alleviation, and the effects of these modeling strategies on the ability to attain converged nonlinear deformations due to wrinkling. The numerical studies demonstrate that excessive mesh refinement in the regions of stress concentration may be disadvantageous to achieving wrinkled equilibrium states, causing the nonlinear solution to lock in the membrane response mode, while totally discarding the very low-energy bending response that is necessary to cause wrinkling deformation patterns. An element-level, strain-energy density criterion is suggested for facilitating automated, adaptive mesh refinements specifically aimed at the modeling of thin-film membranes undergoing wrinkling deformations.

Tessler, Alexander↗

Thermoelastic Formulation of Stiffened, Unsymmetric Composite Panels for Finite Element Analysis of High Speed Aircraft

An emerging technology need for capturing 3-D panel thermoelastic response with 2-D planar finite element models (FEMs) is aided with an equivalent plate stiffness and thermal coefficient formulation. The formulation is general and applies to all panel concepts. Included with the formulation is the ability to provide membrane-bending coupling of unsymmetric sections and calculation of all thermal expansion and bending responses from in-plane and through-the-thickness temperature gradients. Thermal residual strains for both the laminates and plies are included. The general formulation is defined and then applied to a hat-shaped, corrugated stiffened panel. Additional formulations are presented where required to include all of the hat's unique characteristics. Each formulation is validated independently with 3-D FEA.

Collier, Craig S.↗