Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “strains and bending”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2

Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of a Composite Non-Cylindrical Pressurized Aircraft Fuselage Structure

The Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project aims to develop aircraft technologies enabling significant fuel burn and community noise reductions. Small incremental changes to the conventional metallic alloy-based 'tube and wing' configuration are not sufficient to achieve the desired metrics. One of the airframe concepts that might dramatically improve aircraft performance is a composite-based hybrid wing body configuration. Such a concept, however, presents inherent challenges stemming from, among other factors, the necessity to transfer wing loads through the entire center fuselage section which accommodates a pressurized cabin confined by flat or nearly flat panels. This paper discusses a nonlinear finite element analysis of a large-scale test article being developed to demonstrate that the Pultruded Rod Stitched Efficient Unitized Structure concept can meet these challenging demands of the next generation airframes. There are specific reasons why geometrically nonlinear analysis may be warranted for the hybrid wing body flat panel structure. In general, for sufficiently high internal pressure and/or mechanical loading, energy related to the in-plane strain may become significant relative to the bending strain energy, particularly in thin-walled areas such as the minimum gage skin extensively used in the structure under analysis. To account for this effect, a geometrically nonlinear strain-displacement relationship is needed to properly couple large out-of-plane and in-plane deformations. Depending on the loading, this nonlinear coupling mechanism manifests itself in a distinct manner in compression- and tension-dominated sections of the structure. Under significant compression, nonlinear analysis is needed to accurately predict loss of stability and postbuckled deformation. Under significant tension, the nonlinear effects account for suppression of the out-of-plane deformation due to in-plane stretching. By comparing the present results with the previously published preliminary linear analysis, it is demonstrated in the present paper that neglecting nonlinear effects for the structure and loads of interest can lead to appreciable loss in analysis fidelity.

Przekop, Adam↗

Vibration control of flexible beams using an active hinge

The use of an active hinge to attenuate the transverse vibrations of a flexible beam is examined. A slender aluminum beam is suspended vertically, cantilevered at the top. An active hinge is placed at the node of the second vibration mode. The active hinge consists of a torque motor, strain gauge, and tachometer. A control law is implemented using both beam-bending strain and the relative angular velocity measured at this hinge, thereby configuring the hinge to act as an active damper. Results from implementing this control law show little improvement in the first mode damping ratio, 130 percent increase in the second mode damping ratio, and 180 percent increase in the third mode damping ratio. The merits of using a motor with a gearbox are discussed.

Cudney, H. H., Jr.↗

Properties and performance of fine-filament bronze-process Nb3Sn conductors

Fine-filament bronze-process Nb3Sn superconductors were fabricated to fulfill stringent requirements on critical current under tension in a one-inch bend diameter, current density, stability, and conductor losses. A large fraction of niobium filaments was incorporated in a bronze matrix, and a cable containing 4453 2-micron diameter filaments in each of six strands provided a current density of 85,000 A/sq cm at 10 to the -11th ohm-cm, 10 T, and 4.2 K. The next step was to incorporate copper stabilizer in a conductor with 20,538 filaments. These conductors, fabricated so that bend strains of about 1% would be experienced by the filaments in the one-inch bend, stably carried currents in the 200-500 A range. A quench current of 540 A in a 5-cm bend corresponds to 158,000 A/sq cm in the bronze and filament area, believed to be the highest critical current density reported for multifilamentary Nb3Sn.

Walker, M. S.↗

Dynamic characteristics of the national full-scale aerodynamic complex drive fan blades

An extensive experimental test program was conducted to define the dynamic characteristics of the newly installed fan blades of the NASA Ames 40- by 80-/80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel. The tests were intended to substantiate the blade design and manufacturing process, verify installation integrity, and guarantee safe fan-drive operation. The program included a shake test of each fan blade after installation and before operation as well as the monitoring of blade strain levels during initial operation. Structural characteristics, as determined by the shake test, include the modal frequency and damping values for elastic bending and torsion modes between 5 and 130 Hz. Operational testing defined the maximum and oscillatory blade-bending strains throughout the drive-system operational envelope. Results are presented for the shake test and initial operation of the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel circuit.

Peterson, Randall L.↗

Twin-boundary-mediated flexoelectricity in LaAlO 3

Flexoelectricity has garnered much attention owing to its ability to bring electromechanical functionality to nonpiezoelectric materials and its nanoscale significance. In order to move towards a more complete understanding of this phenomenon and improve the efficacy of flexoelectric-based devices, it is necessary to quantify microstructural contributions to flexoelectricity. Here we directly measure the flexoelectric response of bulk centrosymmetric LaAlO 3 crystals with different twin-boundary microstructures. We show that twin-boundary flexoelectric contributions are comparable to intrinsic contributions at room temperature and enhance the flexoelectric response by ~4× at elevated temperatures. Additionally, we observe time-dependent and nonlinear flexoelectric responses associated with strain-gradient-induced twin-boundary polarization. Finally, these results are explained by considering the interplay between twin-boundary orientation, beam-bending strain fields, and pinning site interactions, and directly demonstrate that macroscopic flexoelectric responses are very sensitive to structural defects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Critical transverse compressive stresses of straight and bent CORC® wires with and without impregnation

CORC® wires are a promising superconductor for accelerator magnet applications. While their excellent uniaxial tensile properties have been well established, potential degradation under transverse compression remains a concern for accelerator magnets, in which transverse compression is a primary stress experienced by superconductors. To evaluate the critical transverse compressive stresses of rare-earth barium copper oxide conductors, we developed an experimental system that enables testing of samples both with and without impregnation in liquid nitrogen. Furthermore, because bending strain induced during coil winding may influence the critical compressive response of CORC® wires, the apparatus was also modified to allow testing under the bending condition. In this study wires were tested for five configurations: (1) straight, non-impregnated, (2) bent, non-impregnated, (3) straight, Stycast 2850 FT-impregnated, (4) bent, Stycast 2850 FT-impregnated, and (5) bent, paraffin wax-impregnated. The transverse pressures corresponding to 3% and 5% reductions in the critical current are reported. In conclusion, the effects of wire bending and impregnation on the critical transverse pressure are analyzed, and the implications for transverse stress levels in accelerator magnet conductors are discussed.

CORC® wire↗

High Temperature Strain Gage Calibration Fixture

An apparatus and method are described for calibrating high temperature strain gases which serve for both dead weight and constant deflection measurements. A cantilever support arm allows the test unit to slide into a furnace while one end is subjected to bending strain either by hanging weights upon it or by deflecting it with a push rod. The dual nature of the fixture permits both tests to be run without change of the test specimen or removal from the furnace.

Vranas, T.↗

Metallic positive expulsion diaphragms

High-cycle life ring-reinforced hemispherical type positive expulsion diaphragm performance was demonstrated by room temperature fluid expulsion tests of 13" diameter, 8 mil thick stainless steel configurations. A maximum of eleven (11) leak-free, fluid expulsions were achieved by a 25 deg cone angle diaphragm hoop-reinforced with .110-inch cross-sectional diameter wires. This represents a 70% improvement in diaphragm reversal cycle life compared to results previously obtained. The reversal tests confirmed analytic predictions for diaphragm cycle life increases due to increasing values of diaphragm cone angle, radius to thickness ratio and material strain to necking capacity. Practical fabrication techniques were demonstrated for forming close-tolerance, thin corrugated shells and for obtaining closely controlled reinforcing ring stiffness required to maximize diaphragm cycle life. A non-destructive inspection technique for monitoring large local shell bending strains was developed.

Gleich, D.↗

Adaptive Load Control of Flexible Aircraft Wings Using Fiber Optic Sensing

Over the past century aircraft wing design has transformed from the morphing wing used on the Wright Flyer to rigid wings with little to no shape-tailoring abilities. Modern day wings are designed to fly at a single trim condition and optimized to have a maximum aerodynamic efficiency at only this condition. Shape morphing wings on the other hand have the potential to undergo geometric changes allowing them to adapt to their mission profiles. Several flight demonstrations have been conducted over the decades using morphing-wing technologies. Active wing-twist control was demonstrated on the X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing (AAW) research project by utilizing multiple leading- and trailing-edge control surfaces. Passive morphing technology has been demonstrated on the Rockwell RPRV-870 Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology (HiMAT) aircraft. In the current study, the wings of a small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) were modified to have segmented control surfaces (SCS). The modifications include segmenting the original wing control surfaces (one flap and one aileron per wing) into 44 individual sections, each section having its own independent servo control motor. The wings were also instrumented with a network of over 1800 fiber-optic strain sensors (on four sensing fibers distributed over the top and bottom surfaces of the wing) monitoring the strain response of the wing to aerodynamic loading. The SCS positions were manipulated in real time to modify the spanwise lift distribution of the wings on the sUAS. The change in the structural response of the wings caused by load redistribution was quantified by measuring the bending strains on the upper and lower wing surfaces using an on-board compact fiber-optic strain sensing (cFOSS) system. A feedback controller was developed to control the SCS positions using strain-based shape estimations from the Displacement Transfer Function (DTF). Post-processing of the strain data allowed for the transverse displacement distributions and load distributions to be compared for the conventional and segmented control surface cases using displacements and loads algorithms developed by Richards and Ko at AFRC (refs. 5-10). While the current study focused on the shifting of the spanwise aerodynamic loads as quantified by displacements, future applications for loads or displacement control might include active gust alleviation and flutter suppression.

Pena, Francisco↗

Nanometer-Scale Fullerene-Type Conjugated Covalent Cages Based on Triazine: Design, Doping with Li + , and H 2 /CO 2 Adsorption

Spherical and hollow molecular cages based on planar triazine (C 3 N 3 ) hubs and aromatic phenylene connectors have been developed. The cages exhibit topologies akin to C 20 , C 60 , and C 70 fullerenes with diameters that range from 2.3 to 4.9 nm. Apertures into the cage interiors are tuned by varying the aromatic connectors situated between the C 3 N 3 -units. The stabilities of the C 3 N 3 cages increase with size owing to reduced bending strain of planar nodes and connectors that make up the spherical aromatic networks. Doping of the cages with Li + reveals the capacity of the cages for significant adsorption of gaseous H 2 and CO 2 . The design of graphene-like spherical cages is also discussed.

DFT calculations↗

Novel fabrication technique for high-resolution spherical crystal analyzers using a microporous aluminium base

Modern inelastic X-ray spectrometers employ curved, bent and diced analyzers to capture sufficiently large solid angles of radially emitted scattered radiation emanating from the sample. Fabricating these intricate analyzers, especially when a high energy resolution of a few millielectronvolts is required, is very time-consuming, expensive and often a hit-or-miss affair. A novel fabrication technique is introduced, utilizing a concave-spherical, microporous aluminium base to hold an assembly of a thin glass substrate with a diced crystal wafer bonded to it. Under uniform vacuum forces, the glass substrate is drawn into the aluminium base, achieving the desired bending radius, while dicing of the diffracting crystal layer prevents bending strain from being imposed on the individual crystal pixels. This technique eliminates the need for permanently bonding the crystal assembly to the concave lens, offering the opportunity for correcting figure errors, avoiding long-term degradation of the permanent bond, and making both lens and crystal reusable. Process and material costs are thus substantially decreased. Two analyzers, Si(844) and Ge(337) with intrinsic resolutions of 14.6 meV and 36.5 meV, respectively, were produced in this fashion and characterized in resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) measurements. The achieved overall energy resolutions for both analyzers were 29.4 meV for Si(844) and 56.6 meV for Ge(337). Although the RIXS technique is veru sensitive to analyzer imperfections, the analyzers were found to be equal, if not superior, in quality to their traditional, permanently bonded counterparts.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

New plate and shell elements for NASTRAN

A new higher order triangular plate-bending finite element is presented which possesses high accuracy for practical mesh subdivisions and which uses only translations and rotations as grid point degrees of freedom. The element has 18 degrees of freedom, the transverse displacement and two rotations at the vertices and mid-side grid points of the triangle. The transverse displacement within the element is approximated by a quintic polynomial; the bending strains thus vary cubically within the element. Transverse shear flexibility is taken into account in the stiffness formulation. Two examples of static and dynamic analysis are included to show the behavior of the element.

Narayanaswami, R.↗

Testing procedures for carbon fiber reinforced plastic components

Tests for studying the basic material are considered and quality control investigations involving preimpregnated materials (prepreg) are discussed. Attention is given to the prepreg area weight, the fiber area weight of prepregs, the resin content, volatile components, the effective thickness, resin flow, the resistance to bending strain, tensile strength, and shear strength. A description of tests conducted during the manufacturing process is also presented, taking into account X-ray methods, approaches of neutron radiography, ultrasonic procedures, resonance methods and impedance studies.

Gosse, H. J.↗

Impact behavior of graphite-epoxy simulated fan blades

The response of a graphite-epoxy material, Modmor II/PR-286, to foreign object impact was investigated by impacting spherical projectiles of three different materials - gelatin, ice, and steel - on simulated blade specimens. Visual and metallographic inspection revealed three damage mechanisms: penetration, leading edge bending failure, and stress wave delamination and cracking. The steel projectiles caused penetration damage regardless of the impact location and angle. For the ice and gelatin particles impacting the leading edge, failure was due to large local bending strains, resulting in significant material removal and delamination damage.

Cook, T. S.↗

The durability of graphite/epoxy laminate subjected to repeated low velocity impact

Low velocity impact has been considered as quasi-static loading, as the dynamic effects are decaying before the pressure reaches its maximum. However, when the impact energy is low enough as not to cause visible damage, the dynamic effect at the beginning of the impact may cause internal damage to the laminate. Laminates were loaded quasi-statically and by impact to the same bending strain and with the same indenter shape several times. The laminates that were subjected to the impact loading failed much more rapidly. Analysis of the problem shows that the stress waves created by the impact at the beginning of contact intensify the damage zone created by the preceding impact until the final failure occurs.

Rotem, A.↗

Fiber optic and laser sensors X; Proceedings of the Meeting, Boston, MA, Sept. 8-11, 1992

Topics addressed include acoustic and pressure sensors; fiber optic gyros; electric and magnetic field sensors; bend, strain, and temperature sensors; industrial applications of sensors; and processing techniques. Particular attention is given to fiber optic interferometric acoustic sensors for wind tunnel applications, polished coupler and resonator fabrication, second-harmonic detection for rotation sensing in fiber optic gyros, simplified control theory in closed-loop fiber optic gyroscopes, and a Fabry-Perot sensor with digital signal processing for the measurement of magnetostriction. Also discussed are a Bragg fiber laser sensor, commercialization of fiber optic strain gauge systems, thermal ignition in hazardous environments due to stray light from optical fibers, a system for absolute measurements by interferometric sensors, and high-performance interferometric demodulation techniques.

Udd, Eric↗

A case study of analysis methods for large deflections of a cantilever beam

A load case study of geometric nonlinear large deflections of a cantilever beam is presented. The bending strain must remain elastic. Closed form solution and finite element methods of analysis are illustrated and compared for three common load cases. A nondimensional nomogram for each case is presented in the summary.

Craig, L. D.↗

Real-Time Frequency Response Estimation Using Joined-Wing SensorCraft Aeroelastic Wind-Tunnel Data

A new method is presented for estimating frequency responses and their uncertainties from wind-tunnel data in real time. The method uses orthogonal phase-optimized multi- sine excitation inputs and a recursive Fourier transform with a least-squares estimator. The method was first demonstrated with an F-16 nonlinear flight simulation and results showed that accurate short period frequency responses were obtained within 10 seconds. The method was then applied to wind-tunnel data from a previous aeroelastic test of the Joined- Wing SensorCraft. Frequency responses describing bending strains from simultaneous control surface excitations were estimated in a time-efficient manner.

Grauer, Jared A↗