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At least 37 records · Page 2

Aeroelastic response of metallic and composite propfan models in yawed flow

An analytical investigation of aeroelastic response of metallic and composite propfan models in yawed flow was performed. The analytical model is based on the normal modes of a rotating blade and the three-dimensional unsteady lifting surface aerodynamic theory including blade mistuning. The calculated blade stresses or strains are compared with published wind tunnel data on two metallic and three composite propfan wind tunnel models. The comparison shows a good agreement between theory and experiment. Additional parametric results indicate that blade response is very sensitive to the blade stiffness and also to blade frequency and mode shape mistuning. From these findings, it is concluded that both frequency and mode shape mistuning should be included in aeroelastic response analysis. Furthermore, both calculated and measured strains show that combined blade frequency and mode shape mistuning has beneficial effects on response due to yawed flow.

Kaza, Krishna Rao

A composite emission model for Cygnus X - 1

Recent measurements at soft X-, hard X- and gamma-ray wavelengths provide insights into both the emission mechanisms and regions in Cygnus X - 1. The presence of spectral structure at the lower energies, possible annihilation radiation and sporadic emission at gamma-ray energies suggest that the emission region is considerably more complex than that envisioned by simple bimodal models. The data are reviewed, and a composite emission model is proposed. Possible source geometries are examined within the framework of standard Compton models.

Owens, Alan

Integrated analysis and applications

A select overview is provided of ongoing research focusing on the development and verification of integrated structural analysis and optimal design capabilities for advanced aerospace propulsion and power systems. Subjects discussed include the following: (1) Composites - analytical models (composite mechanics), integrated computational methods, and characterization of composite structural response and durability for resin-, metal-, and ceramic-matrix systems; (2) Advanced inelastic analysis - algorithm/numerical methods for more accurate and efficient analysis; (3) Constitutive modeling - theoretical formulation and characterization of thermoviscoplastic material behavior; (4) Computational simulation - engine structures from components to assembly, and up to an entire engine system subjected to simulated test-stand and mission load histories; (5) Probabilistic structural analysis - quantification of the effects of uncertainty in geometry, material, loads, and boundary conditions on structural response for true reliability assessment; and (6) Interdisciplinary optimization - incorporation of mathematical optimization and multidisciplinary analyses to provide streamlined, autonomous optimal design systems.

Hopkins, Dale A.

The auroral ionosphere - Comparison of a time-dependent model with composition measurements

A time-dependent model of the auroral ionosphere including the odd nitrogen species, NO, N(D-2), and N(S-4), is used for comparison with data from a coordinated rocket-satellite measurement of an auroral event. The chemical scheme and the adopted rate coefficients have been shown to be compatible with daytime mid-latitude ionospheric chemistry. The electron flux and neutral atmospheric parameters measured on the satellite are used to compute the appropriate ionization and dissociation rates. The calculated NO(plus), O2(plus), O(plus), Ne, and NO densities agree well with the rocket measurements. The calculated N2(plus) densities are larger than the measured densities by a factor of 3 at most altitudes. The calculations show that the nitric oxide content of the aurora (about 1.2 times 10 to the 9th NO molecules/cu cm at 105 km) is below the saturation value.

Gerard, J.-C.

Noise transmission characteristics of a large scale composite fuselage model

Results from an experimental test undertaken to study the basic noise transmission characteristics of a realistic, built-up composite fuselage model are presented. The floor-equipped stiffened composite cylinder was exposed to a number of different exterior noise source configurations in a large anechoic chamber. These exterior source configurations included two point sources located in the same plane on opposite sides of the cylinder, a single point source and a propeller simulator. The results indicate that the interior source field is affected strongly by exterior noise source phasing. Sidewall treatment is seen to reduce the overall interior sound pressure levels and dampen dominant acoustic resonances so that other acoustic modes can affect interior noise distribution.

Beyer, Todd B.

A finite element overlay technique for modeling pinned composite joints

A finite element technique using overlaid plane stress elements is presented for modeling a pinned composite joint. The technique allows for discrete modeling of the pin and web regions of the joint in a two-dimensional (2-D) finite element analysis. Thus, predictive capability is substantially increased without the added complexity of a three-dimensional (3-D) analysis. The overlay technique requires a thorough evaluation of the model constraints between the joint components. Bearing panels are used to account for a reduced compressive modulus under bearing loads. Application of the plane stress overlay technique to the Filament Wound Case (FWC) Program is discussed. The experimental approach to determine bearing panel moduli using a double lap shear test is detailed, and finite element results are correlated with full-scale FWC joint test results.

Colvin, G. E.

Simple theoretical models for composite rotor blades

The development of theoretical rotor blade structural models for designs based upon composite construction is discussed. Care was exercised to include a member of nonclassical effects that previous experience indicated would be potentially important to account for. A model, representative of the size of a main rotor blade, is analyzed in order to assess the importance of various influences. The findings of this model study suggest that for the slenderness and closed cell construction considered, the refinements are of little importance and a classical type theory is adequate. The potential of elastic tailoring is dramatically demonstrated, so the generality of arbitrary ply layup in the cell wall is needed to exploit this opportunity.

Valisetty, R. R.

Modeling of composite beams and plates for static and dynamic analysis

A rigorous theory and corresponding computational algorithms was developed for a variety of problems regarding the analysis of composite beams and plates. The modeling approach is intended to be applicable to both static and dynamic analysis of generally anisotropic, nonhomogeneous beams and plates. Development of a theory for analysis of the local deformation of plates was the major focus. Some work was performed on global deformation of beams. Because of the strong parallel between beams and plates, the two were treated together as thin bodies, especially in cases where it will clarify the meaning of certain terminology and the motivation behind certain mathematical operations.

Hodges, Dewey H.

Advanced composite turboprops - Modeling, structural, and dynamic analyses

This paper presents a structural and dynamic analysis of a scaled-down wind tunnel model propfan blade made from fiber composites. This blade is one of a series of propfan blades that have been tested at the NASA Lewis Research Center wind tunnel facilities. The blade is highly swept and twisted and of the spar/shell construction. Due to the complexity of the blade geometry and its high performance, it is subjected to much higher loads and tends to be much less stable than conventional blades. The structural and dynamic analyses of the blade were performed using the NASA-Lewis COBSTRAN computer code. COBSTRAN is designed to generate the mesh and calculate the anisotropic material properties for composite blade analysis. Comparison of analytical and experimental mode shapes and frequencies are shown, verifying the model development and analysis techniques used. The methodologies and programs developed for this analysis are directly applicable to other propfan blades.

Aiello, R. A.

Pultrusion Fabrication of Long Boom Models

Composite materials of quasi-isotropic strength obtained. Fiberreinforced polymer matrix material produced by pulling fibers through polymer resin system and then through preforming dies and heated curing die. Experiments with pultrusion conducted in advancedcomposites technology with applications to aeronautical and space structures.

Wilson, M. L.

Multiband radar characterization of forest biomes

The utility of airborne and orbital SAR in classification, assessment, and monitoring of forest biomes is investigated through analysis of orbital synthetic aperature radar (SAR) and multifrequency and multipolarized airborne SAR imagery relying on image tone and texture. Preliminary airborne SAR experiments and truck-mounted scatterometer observations demonstrated that the three dimensional structural complexity of a forest, and the various scales of temporal dynamics in the microwave dielectric properties of both trees and the underlying substrate would severely limit empirical or semi-empirical approaches. As a consequence, it became necessary to develop a more profound understanding of the electromagnetic properties of a forest scene and their temporal dynamics through controlled experimentation coupled with theoretical development and verification. The concatenation of various models into a physically-based composite model treating the entire forest scene became the major objective of the study as this is the key to development of a series of robust retrieval algorithms for forest biophysical properties. In order to verify the performance of the component elements of the composite model, a series of controlled laboratory and field experiments were undertaken to: (1) develop techniques to measure the microwave dielectric properties of vegetation; (2) relate the microwave dielectric properties of vegetation to more readily measured characteristics such as density and moisture content; (3) calculate the radar cross-section of leaves, and cylinders; (4) improve backscatter models for rough surfaces; and (5) relate attenuation and phase delays during propagation through canopies to canopy properties. These modeling efforts, as validated by the measurements, were incorporated within a larger model known as the Michigan Microwave Canopy Scattering (MIMICS) Model.

Dobson, M. Craig

Continental crustal composition and lower crustal models

The composition of the upper crust is well established as being close to that of granodiorite. The upper crustal composition is reflected in the uniform REE abundances in shales which represent an homogenization of the various REE patterns. This composition can only persist to depths of 10-15 km, for heat flow and geochemical balance reasons. The composition of the total crust is model dependent. One constraint is that it should be capable of generating the upper granodioritic (S.L.) crust by partial melting within the crust. This composition is based on the andesite model, which assumes that the total crust has grown by accretion of island arc material. A representation of the growth rate of the continental crust is shown. The composition of the lower crust, which comprises 60-80% of the continental crust, remains a major unknown factor for models of terrestrial crustal evolution. Two approaches are used to model the lower crust.

Taylor, S. R.

Validation of an interior noise prediction model for a composite cylinder

An acoustic modal analysis has been performed in the cavity of a composite cylinder model of an aircraft fuselage. The filament wound, composite shell is 12 feet long and 5.5 feet in diameter. A one-half-in. thick plywood floor is attached to the shell 69 deg from the vertical centerline through the bottom of the shell. The acoustic modal frequencies were obtained from a sound pressure level and phase survey conducted throughout the interior volume bounded by the floor, endcaps and stiffened shell, while being excited by white noise from a loudspeaker source. The measured acoustic resonance frequencies and mode shapes compare well with analytical predictions from the Propeller Aircraft Interior Noise (PAIN) model. Details of the theory and derivation of the acoustic characteristics have been included. Reverberation time measurements, using the integrated impulse technique, have been performed to determine acoustic loss factors. These measured loss factors have been input to the PAIN program in order to more accurately predict the space-averaged interior noise of the composite cylinder.

Beyer, Todd B.

Explicit modeling of composite plates and beams in the dynamics of multibody systems

The state of the art dynamic response analysis of flexible multibody systems is currently restricted to elastic bodies with homogeneous materials. The requirements for high speed operation has made it necessary to use lightweight multi layered composite bodies in robotic systems and space structure applications. Dynamic modeling and analysis of such systems are particularly important since the effects of body flexibility to the performance are likely to be more pronounced. The eight-noded isoperimetric quadrilateral element with independent rotational and displacement degrees of freedom is extended to laminated composite elements. The element includes an arbitrary number of bonded layers, each of which may have a different thickness. The transverse shear deformation which is a predominant factor in the analysis of laminated composite structures is taken into account in developing the stiffness and mass matrices. The corresponding 3-D mode shapes are then incorporated to the multibody system dynamical equations. Floating body reference frames allow the selection of different boundary conditions, and the dynamical equations contain all the nonlinear interactions between the rigid and elastic motion. Example simulations are presented to illustrate the methods proposed.

Amirouche, F. M. L.

A preliminary investigation of finite-element modeling for composite rotor blades

The results from an initial phase of an in-house study aimed at improving the dynamic and aerodynamic characteristics of composite rotor blades through the use of elastic couplings are presented. Large degree of freedom shell finite element models of an extension twist coupled composite tube were developed and analyzed using MSC/NASTRAN. An analysis employing a simplified beam finite element representation of the specimen with the equivalent engineering stiffness was additionally performed. Results from the shell finite element normal modes and frequency analysis were compared to those obtained experimentally, showing an agreement within 13 percent. There was appreciable degradation in the frequency prediction for the torsional mode, which is elastically coupled. This was due to the absence of off-diagonal coupling terms in the formulation of the equivalent engineering stiffness. Parametric studies of frequency variation due to small changes in ply orientation angle and ply thickness were also performed. Results showed linear frequency variations less than 2 percent per 1 degree variation in the ply orientation angle, and 1 percent per 0.0001 inch variation in the ply thickness.

Lake, Renee C.

A preliminary investigation of finite-element modeling for composite rotor blades

The results from an initial phase of an in-house study aimed at improving the dynamic and aerodynamic characteristics of composite rotor blades through the use of elastic couplings are presented. Large degree of freedom shell finite element models of an extension twist coupled composite tube were developed and analyzed using MSC/NASTRAN. An analysis employing a simplified beam finite element representation of the specimen with the equivalent engineering stiffness was additionally performed. Results from the shell finite element normal modes and frequency analysis were compared to those obtained experimentally, showing an agreement within 13 percent. There was appreciable degradation in the frequency prediction for the torsional mode, which is elastically coupled. This was due to the absence of off-diagonal coupling terms in the formulation of the equivalent engineering stiffness. Parametric studies of frequency variation due to small changes in ply orientation angle and ply thickness were also performed. Results showed linear frequency variations less than 2 percent per 1 degree variation in the ply orientation angle, and 1 percent per 0.0001 inch variation in the ply thickness.

Lake, Renee C.