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At least 37 records · Page 2

Unsteady Aerodynamic Force Sensing from Strain Data

A simple approach for computing unsteady aerodynamic forces from simulated measured strain data is proposed in this study. First, the deflection and slope of the structure are computed from the unsteady strain using the two-step approach. Velocities and accelerations of the structure are computed using the autoregressive moving average model, on-line parameter estimator, low-pass filter, and a least-squares curve fitting method together with analytical derivatives with respect to time. Finally, aerodynamic forces over the wing are computed using modal aerodynamic influence coefficient matrices, a rational function approximation, and a time-marching algorithm.

aerodynamic load sensing↗

Computational Simulation of the High Strain Rate Tensile Response of Polymer Matrix Composites

A research program is underway to develop strain rate dependent deformation and failure models for the analysis of polymer matrix composites subject to high strain rate impact loads. Under these types of loading conditions, the material response can be highly strain rate dependent and nonlinear. State variable constitutive equations based on a viscoplasticity approach have been developed to model the deformation of the polymer matrix. The constitutive equations are then combined with a mechanics of materials based micromechanics model which utilizes fiber substructuring to predict the effective mechanical and thermal response of the composite. To verify the analytical model, tensile stress-strain curves are predicted for a representative composite over strain rates ranging from around 1 x 10(exp -5)/sec to approximately 400/sec. The analytical predictions compare favorably to experimentally obtained values both qualitatively and quantitatively. Effective elastic and thermal constants are predicted for another composite, and compared to finite element results.

Goldberg, Robert K.↗

The Effect of Strain Rate on the Evolution of Plane Wakes Subjected to Irrotational Strains

Direct numerical simulations of time-evolving turbulent plane wakes developing in the presence of irrotational plane strain applied at three different strain rates have been generated. The strain geometry is such that the flow is compressed in the streamwise direction and expanded in the cross-stream direction with the spanwise direction being unstrained. This geometry is the temporally evolving analogue of a spatially evolving wake in an adverse pressure gradient. A pseudospectral numerical method with up to 16 million modes is used to solve the equations in a reference frame moving with the irrotational strain. The initial condition for each simulation is taken from a previous turbulent self-similar plane wake direct numerical simulation at a velocity deficit Reynolds number, Re, of about 2,000. Although the evolutions of many statistics are nearly collapsed when plotted against total strain, there are some differences owing to the different strain rate histories. The impact of strain-rate on the wake spreading rate, the peak velocity deficit, the Reynolds stress profiles, and the flow structure is examined.

Rogers, Michael M.↗

Reynolds Stress Balance in Plane Wakes Subjected to Irrotational Strains

Direct numerical simulations of time-evolving turbulent plane wakes developing in the presence of various irrotational plane strains have been generated. A pseudospectral numerical method with up to 25 million modes is used to solve the equations in a reference frame moving with the irrotational strain. The initial condition for each simulation is taken from a previous turbulent self-similar plane wake direct numerical simulation at a velocity deficit Reynolds number, R(sub e), of about 2,000. All the terms in the equations governing the evolution of the Reynolds stresses have been calculated. The relative importance of the various terms is examined for the different strain geometries and the behavior of the individual terms is used to better assess whether the strained wakes are evolving self-similarly.

Rogers, Miichael M.↗

Applications of Displacement Transfer Functions to Deformed Shape Predictions of the G-III Swept-Wing Structure

In support of the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge [ACTE] project at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, displacement transfer functions were applied to the swept wing of a Gulfstream G-III airplane (Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Savannah, Georgia) to obtain deformed shape predictions. Four strainsensing lines (two on the lower surface, two on the upper surface) were used to calculate the deformed shape of the G III wing under bending and torsion. There being an insufficient number of surface strain sensors, the existing G III wing box finite element model was used to generate simulated surface strains for input to the displacement transfer functions. The resulting predicted deflections have good correlation with the finite-element generated deflections as well as the measured deflections from the ground load calibration test. The convergence study showed that the displacement prediction error at the G III wing tip can be reduced by increasing the number of strain stations (for each strain-sensing line) down to a minimum error of l.6 percent at 17 strain stations; using more than 17 strain stations yielded no benefit because the error slightly increased to 1.9% when 32 strain stations were used.

displacement theory↗

The Evolution of Plane Wakes Subjected to Irrotational Strains

Three direct numerical simulations of time-evolving turbulent plane wakes developing in the presence of various irrotational plane strains have been generated. A pseudospectral numerical method with up to 26 million modes is used to solve the equations in a reference frame moving with the irrotational strain. The initial condition for each simulation is taken from a previous turbulent self-similar plane wake direct numerical simulation at a velocity deficit Reynolds number, Re, of about 2000. Three different plane strains (of the same magnitude) are imposed. In the first two simulations the strain is in a plane normal to the streamwise wake direction (the two cases having strain of opposite sign); in the third the wake is compressed in the streamwise direction and stretched in the inhomogeneous cross-stream direction. The two flows that are stretched in the cross-stream direction experience an exponential increase of Re; flow visualization indicates many small-scale vortices with little or no organized large-scale structure. In the flow that is compressed in the cross-stream direction Re decays exponentially and the layer appears to be relaminarizing. The evolution of several turbulence statistics in each of these flows is examined.

Rogers, M. R.↗

Enabling Nuclear and Solar Thermal Propulsion with the Computational Laboratory: Faster and Cheaper Materials Characterization

Nuclear and solar thermal propulsion offer enhanced efficiencies for in-space travel which may open up the outer Solar System to both crewed and automated craft. However, these advanced propulsion systems require cutting-edge materials which are often not easily tested in the laboratory. Ab initio thermodynamics and other computational methods offer a way to test materials at high pressures and temperatures more quickly, and with reduced cost. Here, several case studies are presented which highlight the utility of modern simulation techniques. First, an extensive thermodynamic study was performed at the ab initio level to elucidate the role of hot hydrogen flow on the erosion of four refractory carbides to examine their appropriateness for use as channel coatings. A detailed analysis of reaction products informs estimates of erosion which are validated in comparison with heritage NERVA data. Specific material suggestions are made for both nuclear and solar designs. Secondly, we examined the mechanical behavior and chemical stability of various components of an idealized nuclear cermet core design using techniques spanning from the atomic to microscale. Next, the mechanical and chemical behavior of tungsten (a potential matrix material) and the stability of uranium mononitride (a potential ceramic fuel element), are characterized in the presence of hydrogen and at elevated temperatures with ab initio thermodynamics. Finally, the mechanical response and failure of tungsten under tensile strain is simulated at the micron scale with a combined finite element and dislocation dynamics approach. The resultant stress-strain data agrees well with experiments and leads to a workflow which can incorporate ab initio thermodynamic data into micron-scale simulations and thus provide real-world relevant estimates of erosion and stress-strain behavior. The power of this framework and our plans to use it in the future will be discussed.

William C Tucker↗

Dynamic Shape Reconstruction of Three-Dimensional Frame Structures Using the Inverse Finite Element Method

A robust and efficient computational method for reconstructing the three-dimensional displacement field of truss, beam, and frame structures, using measured surface-strain data, is presented. Known as shape sensing , this inverse problem has important implications for real-time actuation and control of smart structures, and for monitoring of structural integrity. The present formulation, based on the inverse Finite Element Method (iFEM), uses a least-squares variational principle involving strain measures of Timoshenko theory for stretching, torsion, bending, and transverse shear. Two inverse-frame finite elements are derived using interdependent interpolations whose interior degrees-of-freedom are condensed out at the element level. In addition, relationships between the order of kinematic-element interpolations and the number of required strain gauges are established. As an example problem, a thin-walled, circular cross-section cantilevered beam subjected to harmonic excitations in the presence of structural damping is modeled using iFEM; where, to simulate strain-gauge values and to provide reference displacements, a high-fidelity MSC/NASTRAN shell finite element model is used. Examples of low and high-frequency dynamic motion are analyzed and the solution accuracy examined with respect to various levels of discretization and the number of strain gauges.

Gherlone, Marco↗

Effect of anharmonicity of interatomic potential on strain distribution in semiconductor nanostructures

Experiments and theory have shown that the energy spectrum of nanostructures is extremely sensitive to the built-in strain. Knowledge of the strain distribution is therefore Experiments and theory have shown that the energy spectrum of nanostructures is extremely sensitive to the built-in strain. Knowledge of the strain distribution is therefore of utmost importance for the design of optical devices with prescribed light emission spectrum.

nanostructures↗

A Comparison of Two Balance Calibration Model Building Methods

Simulated strain-gage balance calibration data is used to compare the accuracy of two balance calibration model building methods for different noise environments and calibration experiment designs. The first building method obtains a math model for the analysis of balance calibration data after applying a candidate math model search algorithm to the calibration data set. The second building method uses stepwise regression analysis in order to construct a model for the analysis. Four balance calibration data sets were simulated in order to compare the accuracy of the two math model building methods. The simulated data sets were prepared using the traditional One Factor At a Time (OFAT) technique and the Modern Design of Experiments (MDOE) approach. Random and systematic errors were introduced in the simulated calibration data sets in order to study their influence on the math model building methods. Residuals of the fitted calibration responses and other statistical metrics were compared in order to evaluate the calibration models developed with different combinations of noise environment, experiment design, and model building method. Overall, predicted math models and residuals of both math model building methods show very good agreement. Significant differences in model quality were attributable to noise environment, experiment design, and their interaction. Generally, the addition of systematic error significantly degraded the quality of calibration models developed from OFAT data by either method, but MDOE experiment designs were more robust with respect to the introduction of a systematic component of the unexplained variance.

DeLoach, Richard↗

Higher-Order Approximations for Stabilizing Zero-Energy Modes in Peridynamics Crystal Plasticity Models with Large Horizon Interactions

The non-ordinary state-based peridynamics theory combines non-local dynamic techniques with a desirable correspondence material principle, allowing for the use of continuum mechanics constitutive models. Such an approach presents a unique capability for solving problems involving discontinuities (e.g., strain localization, fracture, and fragmentation). However, the correspondence-based peridynamics models often suffer from zero-energy mode instabilities in numerical implementation, primarily due to the approximations of the non-local deformation gradient tensor. This paper focuses on a computational scheme for eliminating the zero-energy mode oscillations using a choice of influence functions that improve the truncation error in a higher-order Taylor series expansion of the deformation gradient. The novelty here is a tensor-based derivation of the linear constraint equations, which can be used to systematically identify the particle interaction weight functions for various user-specified horizon radii. In this paper, the proposed higher-order stabilization scheme is demonstrated for multi-dimensional examples involving polycrystalline and composite microstructures, along with comparisons against conventional finite element methods. The proposed stabilization scheme is shown to be highly effective in suppressing the spurious zero-energy mode oscillations in all numerical examples while enabling efficient simulations of strain localizations across material interfaces.

Non-Ordinary State-Based Peridynamics↗

Stress reduction in an isotropic plate with a hole by applied induced strains

Recently there has been much interest in adaptive structures that can respond to a varying environment by changing their properties. Shape memory alloys and piezoelectric materials can be used as induced strain actuators to reduce stresses in the regions of stress concentration. The objective of the work was to find the maximum possible reduction in the stress concentration factor in an isotropic plate with a hole by applying induced strains in a small area near the hole. Induced strains were simulated by thermal expansion.

Sensharma, Pradeep K.↗

A Numerical Investigation of the Extinction of Low Strain Rate Diffusion Flames by an Agent in Microgravity

Our goal has been to investigate the influence of both dilution and radiation on the extinction process of nonpremixed flames at low strain rates. Simulations have been performed by using a counterflow code and three radiation models have been included in it, namely, the optically thin, the narrowband, and discrete ordinate models. The counterflow flame code OPPDIFF was modified to account for heat transfer losses by radiation from the hot gases. The discrete ordinate method (DOM) approximation was first suggested by Chandrasekhar for solving problems in interstellar atmospheres. Carlson and Lathrop developed the method for solving multi-dimensional problem in neutron transport. Only recently has the method received attention in the field of heat transfer. Due to the applicability of the discrete ordinate method for thermal radiation problems involving flames, the narrowband code RADCAL was modified to calculate the radiative properties of the gases. A non-premixed counterflow flame was simulated with the discrete ordinate method for radiative emissions. In comparison with two other models, it was found that the heat losses were comparable with the optically thin and simple narrowband model. The optically thin model had the highest heat losses followed by the DOM model and the narrow-band model.

Puri, Ishwar K.↗

Testing Bacteria Resistance Polymers Onboard The ISS

Student Payload Opportunity with Citizen Science (SPOCS) is a program funded by NASA to inspire the Artemis generation Scientific Question: How does microgravity impact the efficacy of bacteria resistant polymers? Experimental apparatus to be sent to ISS with 2 polymer chemistry candidates coated on Al 6061 alloy coupons Staphylococcus Epidermidis bacteria strain to simulate growth of superficial dermal bacteria.

bacteria↗

On testing models for the pressure-strain correlation of turbulence using direct simulations

Direct simulations of homogeneous turbulence have, in recent years, come into widespread use for the evaluation of models for the pressure-strain correlation of turbulence. While work in this area has been beneficial, the increasingly common practice of testing the slow and rapid parts of these models separately in uniformly strained turbulent flows is shown in this paper to be unsound. For such flows, the decomposition of models for the total pressure-strain correlation into slow and rapid parts is ambiguous. Consequently, when tested in this manner, misleading conclusions can be drawn about the performance of pressure-strain models. This point is amplified by illustrative calculations of homogeneous shear flow where other pitfalls in the evaluation of models are also uncovered. More meaningful measures for testing the performance of pressure-strain models in uniformly strained turbulent flows are proposed and the implications for turbulence modeling are discussed.

Speziale, Charles G.↗

Multiscale Computer Simulation of Failure in Aerogels

Aerogels have been of interest to the aerospace community primarily for their thermal properties, notably their low thermal conductivities. While such gels are typically fragile, recent advances in the application of conformal polymer layers to these gels has made them potentially useful as lightweight structural materials as well. We have previously performed computer simulations of aerogel thermal conductivity and tensile and compressive failure, with results that are in qualitative, and sometimes quantitative, agreement with experiment. However, recent experiments in our laboratory suggest that gels having similar densities may exhibit substantially different properties. In this work, we extend our original diffusion limited cluster aggregation (DLCA) model for gel structure to incorporate additional variation in DLCA simulation parameters, with the aim of producing DLCA clusters of similar densities that nevertheless have different fractal dimension and secondary particle coordination. We perform particle statics simulations of gel strain on these clusters, and consider the effects of differing DLCA simulation conditions, and the resultant differences in fractal dimension and coordination, on gel strain properties.

Good, Brian S.↗