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At least 37 records · Page 2

Some approximation concepts for structural synthesis.

An efficient automated minimum weight design procedure is presented which is applicable to sizing structural systems that can be idealized by truss, shear panel, and constant strain triangles. Static stress and displacement constraints under alternative loading conditions are considered. The optimization algorithm is an adaptation of the method of inscribed hyperspheres and high efficiency is achieved by using several approximation concepts including temporary deletion of noncritical constraints, design variable linking, and Taylor series expansions for response variables in terms of design variables. Optimum designs for several planar and space truss example problems are presented. The results reported support the contention that the innovative use of approximation concepts in structural synthesis can produce significant improvements in efficiency.

Schmit, L. A., Jr.

Approximate techniques of structural reanalysis

A study is made of two approximate techniques for structural reanalysis. These include Taylor series expansions for response variables in terms of design variables and the reduced-basis method. In addition, modifications to these techniques are proposed to overcome some of their major drawbacks. The modifications include a rational approach to the selection of the reduced-basis vectors and the use of Taylor series approximation in an iterative process. For the reduced basis a normalized set of vectors is chosen which consists of the original analyzed design and the first-order sensitivity analysis vectors. The use of the Taylor series approximation as a first (initial) estimate in an iterative process, can lead to significant improvements in accuracy, even with one iteration cycle. Therefore, the range of applicability of the reanalysis technique can be extended. Numerical examples are presented which demonstrate the gain in accuracy obtained by using the proposed modification techniques, for a wide range of variations in the design variables.

Noor, A. K.

Some approximation concepts for structural synthesis

An efficient automated minimum weight design procedure is presented which is applicable to sizing structural systems that can be idealized by truss, shear panel, and constant strain triangles. Static stress and displacement constraints under alternative loading conditions are considered. The optimization algorithm is an adaptation of the method of inscribed hyperspheres and high efficiency is achieved by using several approximation concepts including temporary deletion of noncritical constraints, design variable linking, and Taylor series expansions for response variables in terms of design variables. Optimum designs for several planar and space truss examples problems are presented. The results reported support the contention that the innovative use of approximation concepts in structural synthesis can produce significant improvements in efficiency.

Schmit, L. A., Jr.

Capacitor bonding techniques and reliability

The effect of thermal cycling on the mechanical failure of bonded ceramic chip capacitors mounted on alumina substrates is studied. It is shown that differential thermal expansion is responsible for the cumulative effects which lead to delayed failure of the capacitors. Harder or higher melting solders are found to be less susceptible to thermal cycling effects, although they are more likely to fail during initial processing operations.

Kinser, D. L.

On implementation of the extended interior penalty function

The extended interior penalty function formulation is implemented. A rational method for determining the transition between the interior and extended parts is set forth. The formulation includes a straightforward method for avoiding design points with some negative components, which are physically meaningless in structural analysis. The technique, when extended to problems involving parametric constraints, can facilitate closed form integration of the penalty terms over the most important parts of the parameter interval. The method lends itself well to the use of approximation concepts, such as design variable linking, constraint deletion and Taylor series expansions of response quantities in terms of design variables. Examples demonstrating the algorithm, in the context of planar orthogonal frames subjected to ground motion, are included.

Cassis, J. H.

Analysis of solar radiation pressure induced coupled librations of a gravity stabilized axisymmetric satellite

This paper presents an analysis of solar radiation pressure induced coupled librations of gravity stabilized cylindrical spacecraft with a special reference to geostationary communication satellites. The Lagrangian approach is used to obtain the corresponding equations of motion. The solar induced torques are assumed to be free of librational angles and are represented by their Fourier expansion. The response and periodic solutions are obtained through linear and nonlinear analyses, using the method of harmonic balance in the latter case. The stability conditions are obtained using Routh-Hurwitz criteria. To establish the ranges of validity the analytic response is compared with the numerical solution. Finally, values of the system parameters are suggested to make the satellite behave as desired. Among these is a possible approach to subdue the solar induced roll resonance. It is felt that the approximate analysis presented here should significantly reduce the computational efforts involved in the design and stability analysis of the systems.

Shrivastava, S. K.

A quasi-Hertzian stress field from an internal source: A possible working model for the Vredefort structure

The Vredefort structure is a large domal feature about 110 km southeast of Johannesburg, South Africa, situated within and almost central to the large intracratonic Witwatersrand Basin. This structure consists of an Archean core of ca. 45 km in diameter, consisting largely of granitic gneiss, surrounded by a collar of metasedimentary and metavolcanic supracrustal rocks of the Dominian Group, Witwatersrand and Ventersdorp Supergroups, and Transvaal Sequence. The interpretation of images of the gravity and magnetic fields over Vredefort has permitted the delineation of several important features of the structure and of its environment. The outline of the collar strata is a prominent feature of both the gravity and the magnetic fields. The Vredefort structure shares this distinctive geometry with other structures (e.g., Manicouagan, Decaturville, Sierra Madera) of debated impact origin. In all these, successively older strata with steep outward dips are encountered while traversing inward to the center of the structure. A further attribute of these structures is the shortening of the outcrop of a particular stratigraphic unit compared to the original perimeter of that unit. To account for the geometric attributes of the Vredefort structure a mechanical scheme is required where there is radial movement of horizontal strata toward, with uplift in, the center of the Vredefort structure. Two models can be proposed: (1) one in which there is a rapid rise and violent disruption of cover rocks in response to expansion of a fluid accumulation; and (2) one in which there is, in contrast, a nonexplosive, quasi-Hertzian stress field resulting from a diapiric process. Both models can accommodate the geometry and structural components of Vredefort.

Antoine, L. A. G.

Solar Wind Access to Lunar Polar Craters: Feedback Between Surface Charging and Plasma Expansion

Determining the plasma environment within permanently shadowed lunar craters is critical to understanding local processes such as surface charging, electrostatic dust transport, volatile sequestration, and space weathering. In order to investigate the nature of this plasma environment, the first two-dimensional kinetic simulations of solar wind expansion into a lunar crater with a self-consistent plasma-surface interaction have been undertaken. The present results reveal how the plasma expansion into a crater couples with the electrically-charged lunar surface to produce a quasi-steady wake structure. In particular, there is a negative feedback between surface charging and ambipolar wake potential that allows an equilibrium to be achieved, with secondary electron emission strongly moderating the process. A range of secondary electron yields is explored, and two distinct limits are highlighted in which either surface charging or ambipoiar expansion is responsible for determining the overall wake structure.

Zimmerman, M. I.

Analysis of ATS-5 data

Data from the particle detectors on ATS-5 in synchronous orbit and from the meridian line of magnetometers at a ground station are correlated for periods of well defined substorm activity. Specific substorm events are presented whose region of maximum perturbation can be accurately identified using current systems modelling techniques. It was found that the impulsive particle response at ATS-5 is correlated with changes in the auroral electrojet structure during the development of the substorm expansive phase. The response of the particle detectors appears to differ from event to event depending on the geometry of the disturbed region of the magnetosphere. It is concluded that the substorm disturbance typically begins at low latitude and propagates poleward in impulsive steps and that energetic electron enhancements are observed at ATS-5 when the poleward border of the electrojet intensifies in the latitude range of the ATS-5 field line.

Sharp, R. D.

Investigations of the mechanisms by which lower body negative pressure (LBNP) improves orthostatic responses

Saline ingestion during LBNP is a counter measure proposed to improve orthostatic function during space flight. To understand the mechanism(s) responsible for this effect, body fluid, endocrine, and orthostatic responses (graded LBNP tests) were measured during bed rest (BR) and after 2 hr and 4 hr LBNP/saline treatments (-30 mm Hg and 1 liter of isotonic saline). PV (from I-125 and hematocrit measurements) decreased during BR but was restored to the pre-bed rest level (3157 +/- 161 ml) 20 hrs after both 2 hr (3109 +/- 146 ml) and 4 hr (3144 +/- 173 ml) LBNP. The heart rate response to graded LBNP tests was significantly improved after the 4 hr, but not after the 2 hr treatment. These results suggest PV expansion may be responsible for some improvement in orthostatic responses, but other mechanisms also must contribute.

Fortney, S. M.

Eigenvalue/Eigenvector derivatives for SAVI Gimbalflex nonlinear transient response analysis

An eigenvector expansion method is utilized to predict eigenvalue and eigenvector derivatives due to geometric reconfiguration of a Gimbalflex fine-pointing/vibration isolation system called SAVI (Space Active Vibration Isolation). The eigenvector expansion method used is a modification of the classical method and allows for rigid body roots. Using the resulting modal derivatives, free-free nonlinear equations of motion are developed with Lagrange's Method. These equations represent a nonlinear plant model to be used in conjunction with a control system transient response simulation.

Orr, M. F., Jr.

A hybrid neurocomputing/numerical strategy for nonlinear structural analysis

A hybrid neurocomputing/numerical strategy is presented for geometrically nonlinear analysis of structures. The strategy combines model-free data processing capabilities of computational neural networks with a Pade approximants-based perturbation technique to predict partial information about the nonlinear response of structures. In the hybrid strategy, multilayer feedforward neural networks are used to extend the validity of solutions by using training samples produced by Pade approximations to the Taylor series expansion of the response function. The range of validity of the training samples is taken to be the radius of convergence of Pade approximants and is estimated by setting a tolerance on the diverging approximants. The norm of residual vector of unbalanced forces in a given element is used as a measure to assess the quality of network predictions. To further increase the accuracy and the range of network predictions, additional training data are generated by either applying linear regression to weight matrices or expanding the training data by using predicted coefficients in a Taylor series. The effectiveness of the hybrid strategy is assessed by performing large-deflection analysis of a doubly-curved composite panel with a circular cutout, and postbuckling analyses of stiffened composite panels subjected to an in-plane edge shear load. In all the problems considered, the hybrid strategy is used to predict selective information about the structural response, namely the total strain energy and the maximum displacement components only.

Szewczyk, Z. Peter

Initial postbuckling response of anisotropic laminated rectangular plates

It has been shown that anisotropic plates can have unstable postbuckling behavior resulting in potential imperfection sensitivity. The present paper quantifies the degree of instability for rectangular, simply supported asymmetrically laminated plates. The analysis is based on asymptotic Koiter-type expansion of postbuckling response. The degree of postbuckling instability is quantified in terms of the reduction in load carrying capacity in the immediate postbuckling range. For graphite-epoxy plates it is found that this measure of instability is very small unless the lamination asymmetry is very pronounced.

Johnson, Eric R.

Initial postbuckling response of an unsymmetrically laminated rectangular plate

It was shown that anisotropic plates can have unstable postbuckling behavior resulting in potential imperfection sensitivity. The degree of instability for rectangular, simply-supported, cross-ply laminated plates is quantified. The analysis is based on asymptotic Koiter-type expansion of postbuckling response. The degree of postbuckling instability is quantified in terms of the reduction in load carrying capacity in the immediate postbuckling range. For graphite-epoxy plates it is found that this measure of instability is very small. Only a low aspect ratio plate with a high degree of anisotropy can have any significant reduction in its buckling load.

Haftka, Raphael T.

Proton dose approximation in arbitrary convex geometry

An expansion is derived for the solution to the transport equation in two dimensions subject to boundary conditions given for an arbitrary convex region. Questions of high-energy transport are considered along with the properties of the dose response function. The expansion of the solution of the transport equation is presented in terms of a parameter which measures the lateral dispersion of an unidirectional beam. This parameter is usually small and the expansion is expected to converge rapidly. The dominant term in the expansion is related to fluence-to-dose conversion factors in a semiinfinite slab for normal incidence. A convenient parameterization of the conversion factors is provided along with numerical examples.

Wilson, J. W.

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.

Decameter type IV bursts associated with coronal transients

The characteristics of four moving type IV burst observed with a 65- to 20-MHz swept-frequency interferometer are discussed. All four bursts were associated with depletions in the electron content of the white light corona. Characteristics of the bursts are not unique i.e., they differ in source size, structure, duration, and their association with other radio bursts. Following Smerd and Dulk (1971), it is assumed that a shock wave, moving out from the flare site is responsible for the expansion of a magnetic arch or the ejection of a plasmoid which is observed as the usual type IV burst. Behind the shock wave, the compressed coronal gas moves outward, and as it expands it causes a depletion of electrons in the inner corona. After the passage of the shock wave, sometimes the coronal magnetic field structure is restored to its initial situation, as evidenced by the observation of homologous transients.

Gergely, T. E.