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At least 37 records · Page 2

Buckling Behavior of Long Symmetrically Laminated Plates Subjected to Shear and Linearly Varying Axial Edge Loads

A parametric study of the buckling behavior of infinitely long symmetrically laminated anisotropic plates that are subjected to linearly varying edge loads, uniform shear loads, or combinations of these loads is presented. The study focuses on the effects of the shape of linearly varying edge load distribution, plate orthotropy, and plate flexural anisotropy on plate buckling behavior. In addition, the study exmines the interaction of linearly varying edge loads and uniform shear loads with plate flexural anisotropy and orthotropy. Results obtained by using a special purpose nondimensional analysis that is well suited for parametric studies of clamped and simply supported plates are presented for [+/- theta](sub s), thin graphite-epoxy laminates that are representative of spacecraft structural components. Also, numerous generic buckling-design charts are presented for a wide range of nondimensional parameters that are applicable to a broad class of laminate constructions. These charts show explicitly the effects of flexural orthotropy and flexural anisotropy on plate buckling behavior for linearly varying edge loads, uniform shear loads, or combinations of these loads. The most important finding of the present study is that specially orthotropic and flexurally anisotropic plates that are subjected to an axial edge load distribution that is tension dominated can support shear loads that are larger in magnitude than the shear buckling load.

Nemeth, Michael P.

Uniform Mechanical Loading Can Test for Nonuniform Loading Durability

In this work, we present a method to evaluate the equivalency between any module mechanical loading conditions. The method is developed to address the specific failure mode of glass fracture and is based on Weibull analysis and weakest link theory. It considers the varying stress profile across the module to calculate the probability of glass fracture, which is used as the metric of equivalency. An idealized nonuniform loading scheme is employed to demonstrate the method and introduce the concept of the equivalent uniform load factor: a factor applied to the maximum pressure of the nonuniform load to obtain the equivalent uniform load value. It is demonstrated that this factor is less than unity for all nonuniform load cases considered, including snow and various characters of wind loading. These significant results suggest that uniform loading may be reliably, and practically, employed to evaluate photovoltaic module glass for nonuniform loading durability.

14 SOLAR ENERGY

Large deflections of circular isotropic membranes subjected to arbitrary axisymmetric loading

Circular membranes with fixed peripheral edges, subjected to arbitrary axisymmetric loading are analyzed. A single governing differential equation in terms of radial stress is used. This nonlinear governing equation is solved using the finite difference method in conjunction with Newton-Raphson method. Three loading cases, namely (1) uniformly loaded membrane, (2) a membrane with uniform load over an inner portion, and (3) a membrane with ring load, are analyzed. Calculated central displacement and the central and edge radial stresses for uniformly loaded membrane, agree extremely well with the classical solution.

Kelkar, A.

Large deflections of circular isotropic membranes subjected to arbitrary axisymmetric loading

Circular membranes with fixed peripheral edges, subjected to arbitrary axisymmetric loading were analyzed. A single governing differential equation in terms of radial stress was used. This nonlinear governing equation was solved using the finite difference method in conjunction with Newton-Raphson method. Three loading cases, namely: (1) uniformly loaded membrane, (2) a membrane with uniform load over an inner portion, and (3) a membrane with ring load, were analyzed. Calculated central displacement and the central and edge radial stresses for uniformly loaded membrane, agreed extremely well with the classical solution.

Kelkar, A.

Influence of two-dimensional hygrothermal gradients on interlaminar stresses near free edges

Interlaminar stresses are determined for mechanical loading, uniform hygrothermal loading, and gradient moisture loading through implementation of a finite element computer code. Nonuniform two-dimensional hygroscopic gradients are obtained from a finite difference solution of the diffusion equation. It is shown that hygroscopic induced stresses can be larger than those resulting from mechanical and thermal loading, and that the distribution of the interlaminar normal stress may be changed significantly in the presence of a two-dimensional moisture gradient in the boundary layer of a composite laminate.

Farley, G. L.

Influence of two-dimensional hygrothermal gradients on interlaminar stresses near free edges

Interlaminar stresses are determined for mechanical loading, uniform hygrothermal loading, and gradient moisture loading through implementation of a finite-element computer code. Nonuniform two-dimensional hygroscopic gradients are obtained from a finite-difference solution of the diffusion equation. It is shown that hygroscopic-induced stresses can be larger than those resulting from mechanical and thermal loading, and that the distribution of the interlaminar normal stress may be changed significantly in the presence of a two-dimensional moisture gradient in the boundary layer of a composite laminate.

Farley, G. L.

Analysis of a single-fold deployable truss beam preloaded by extension of selected face diagonal members

A technique for preloading a deployable box truss beam by extension of one face diagonal per bay was studied to determine if it would result in uniform loading of truss joints without causing excessive truss deformations. Results indicate that it is possible to accomplish uniform loading in the beam region way from beam boundaries, whereas in the regions near boundaries the member loading becomes non-uniform with magnitudes greater than those in the uniform load region. Also, the type of deformation which results in the beam depends on the pattern of preloaded members.

Wu, K. C.

A geometrically nonlinear analysis of interlaminar stresses in unsymmetrically laminated plates subjected to uniform thermal loading

An analytical study of interlaminar stresses in unsymmetrically laminated plates is presented. The study examines the linear elastic, large deflection response of square laminated composite plates subjected to uniform thermal loading. Both cross-ply and angle-ply, symmetric and unsymmetric, laminates are examined to evaluate the effects of mismatch between adjacent layers in elastic constants and coefficients of thermal expansion. A geometrically nonlinear kinematic description is used to predict the large out-of-plane (transverse) deflections. The nonlinear, three-dimensional boundary value problems are formulated from elasticity theory and approximate solutions are determined using the finite element method. A global/local analysis procedure is used to obtain improved free edge stress predictions. For the laminates and loading conditions considered, the results indicate that the out-of-plane deflections of the unsymmetric laminates reduce interlaminar shear stresses. These deflections also reduce interlaminar normal stresses in some laminates and increase these stresses for others. The results indicate that as the out-of-plane deflections become large, the differences in interlaminar stress predictions between linear and nonlinear theory can become quite large.

Norwood, D. S.

Geometrically nonlinear analysis of layered composite shells

Two kinds of finite-element analyses are developed for the geometrically nonlinear study of the large deformations in laminated composite structures, especially shells. The first kind of finite-element analysis utilizes the general incremental variational formulation as well as the total Lagrangian description of motion, and a three-dimensional degenerate element is adopted. The second kind of analysis employs a formulation based on deformable shell theory, and the plate-bending element is used. Numerical results for bending are presented for five plate and shell structures of isotropic as well as orthotropic composition, including an isotropic cylindrical panel with uniform loading and a laminated cylindrical panel with uniform loading. The results obtained using these analyses are found to be in good agreement with those available in the literature.

Chao, W. C.

Experimental Validation of a Module Cell Cracking Model

The What's Cracking app can predict how changes in crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) module materials, design, and mounting affect its susceptibility for cell fracture under uniform loading. This work has experimentally validated the app. A set of commercial crystalline silicon PV modules was obtained for this study. The modules were uniformly loaded at three different mounting points, and their subsequent cell fractures were recorded. A large sample size allowed for the development of an experimental statistical model for cell fracture. Here, the comparison of the experiment to predictions from the app is in excellent agreement. Both experimental and modeling results also elucidate how moving the module mounting points toward the center of the module increases the probability of cell fracture.

14 SOLAR ENERGY

On Flowfield Periodicity in the NASA Transonic Flutter Cascade: Experimental Study - Part 1

An extensive study to improve flow uniformity and periodicity in the NASA Transonic Flutter Cascade is presented here. The results are reported in two independent parts dealing with the experimental approach and the analytical approach. The first part, the Experimental Study, focuses first on the data sets acquired in this facility in the past and explains several discrepancies, particularly the questions of actual flow incidence and cascade back pressure levels. Next, available means for control and modifications of the cascade flowfield, boundary layer bleed and tailboard settings are presented in detail. This is followed by experimental data sets acquired in modified test facility configurations that were based on analytical predictions of the cascade flowfield. Finally, several important conclusions about improving the cascade flowfield uniformity and blade load periodicity are summarized. The important conclusions are: (1) boundary layer bleed does not improve the cascade flow periodicity; (2) tunnel wall contours must be carefully matched to the expected shape of cascade streamlines; (3) actual flow incidence for each cascade configuration rather must be measured instead of relying on the tunnel geometry; and (4) the current cascade configuration exhibits a very high blade load uniformity over six blades from blade #2 to blade #7, and the facility is now ready for unsteady pressure data acquisition.

Lepicovsky, J.

Screen test for cadmium and nickel plates

A new procedure is described which was recently developed to quantify loading uniformity of nickel and cadmium plates and to screen finished electrodes prior to cell assembly. The technique utilizes the initial solubility rates of the active material in a standard chemical deloading solution at fixed conditions. The method can provide a reproducible indication of plate loading uniformity in situations where high surface loading limits the free flow of deloading solution into the internal porosity of the sinter plate. A preliminary study indicates that 'good' cell performance is associated with higher deloading rates.

Phan, Angie H.

Screen test for cadmium and nickel plates as developed and used within the Aerospace Corporation

A new procedure described here was recently developed to quantify loading uniformity of nickel and cadmium plates and to screen finished electrodes prior to cell assembly. The technique utilizes the initial solubility rates of the active material in a standard chemical deloading solution at fixed conditions. The method can provide a reproducible indication of plate loading uniformity in situations where high surface loading limits the free flow of deloading solution into the internal porosity of the sinter plate. A preliminary study indicates that 'good' cell performance is associated with higher deloading rates.

Phan, A. H.

Combined Loads Test Fixture for Thermal-Structural Testing Aerospace Vehicle Panel Concepts

A structural test requirement of the National Aero-Space Plane (NASP) program has resulted in the design, fabrication, and implementation of a combined loads test fixture. Principal requirements for the fixture are testing a 4- by 4-ft hat-stiffened panel with combined axial (either tension or compression) and shear load at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 915 F, keeping the test panel stresses caused by the mechanical loads uniform, and thermal stresses caused by non-uniform panel temperatures minimized. The panel represents the side fuselage skin of an experimental aerospace vehicle, and was produced for the NASP program. A comprehensive mechanical loads test program using the new test fixture has been conducted on this panel from room temperature to 500 F. Measured data have been compared with finite-element analyses predictions, verifying that uniform load distributions were achieved by the fixture. The overall correlation of test data with analysis is excellent. The panel stress distributions and temperature distributions are very uniform and fulfill program requirements. This report provides details of an analytical and experimental validation of the combined loads test fixture. Because of its simple design, this unique test fixture can accommodate panels from a variety of aerospace vehicle designs.

Fields, Roger A.