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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.

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At least 361 records · Page 20

Elliptic Relaxation of a Tensor Representation of the Pressure-Strain and Dissipation Rate

A formulation to include the effects of wall-proximity in a second moment closure model is presented that utilizes a tensor representation for the redistribution term in the Reynolds stress equations. The wall-proximity effects are modeled through an elliptic relaxation process of the tensor expansion coefficients that properly accounts for both correlation length and time scales as the wall is approached. DNS data and Reynolds stress solutions using a full differential approach at channel Reynolds number of 590 are compared to the new model.

Carlson, John R.↗

Further comments on the application of the method of averaging to the study of the rotational motions of a triaxial rigid body, part 3

Variational equations were applied to the case of a rapidly spinning triaxial body moving in an elliptic orbit, in which the orbital plane is regressing at a constant rate. The explicit differential equations obtained in this application were integrated by the method of averaging to develop secular analytical expressions, which, to first-order in a small parameter, describe the complete space motions of the rigid body under the influence of nonresonant gravity-gradient perturbations. The effects of aerodynamic torque on the rotational motion of an orbiting satellite are studied, as another example of the application of the variational equations derived and the method of averaging.

Liu, J. J. F.↗

Spectral element methods for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

Spectral element methods are high-order weighted-residual techniques for partial differential equations that combine the geometric flexibility of finite element techniques with the rapid convergence rate of spectral schemes. The theoretical foundations and numerical implementation of spectral element methods for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are presented, considering the construction and analysis of optimal-order spectral element discretizations for elliptic and saddle (Stokes) problems, as well as the efficient solution of the resulting discrete equations by rapidly convergent tensor-product-based iterative procedures. Several examples of spectral element simulation of moderate Reynolds number unsteady flow in complex geometry are presented.

Maday, Yvon↗

Analysis of embedded shock waves calculated by relaxation methods.

The requirements for uniqueness of the calculated jump conditions across embedded shock waves are investigated for type-dependent difference systems used in transonic flow studies. A mathematical analysis shows that sufficient conditions are (1) the equations should be differenced in conservative form and (2) a special difference operator should be used when switching from a hyperbolic to an elliptic operator. The latter results in a consistency condition on the integral equations, rather than the differential, at these points. Calculated jump conditions for several embedded and detached shock waves are analyzed in the physical and hodograph planes. Comparisons are made with previous results, a time-dependent calculation, and data.

Murman, E. M.↗

Rapid finite-difference computation of subsonic and transonic aerodynamic flows

Rapid iterative (or semidirect) computation methods are developed for the finite-difference solution of the nonlinear equations of subsonic and transonic aerodynamics. At each iteration, a fast, direct elliptic algorithm solves the entire computation field. In an application to subsonic flow over a lifting airfoil, the full nonlinear stream-function equation is solved. Finally, a direct Cauchy-Riemann solver is used for the nonlinear transonic small-disturbance equations for a biconvex airfoil. At M = 0.7, t/c = 0.1 (subcritical), three iterations on a 39 x 32 mesh (totaling 2.45 sec on an IBM 360/67 computer) obtain convergence within 0.1%. A slightly supercritical case requires seven iterations (6.75 sec) for convergence within 1%.

Martin, E. D.↗

RIACS

Topics considered include: high-performance computing; cognitive and perceptual prostheses (computational aids designed to leverage human abilities); autonomous systems. Also included: development of a 3D unstructured grid code based on a finite volume formulation and applied to the Navier-stokes equations; Cartesian grid methods for complex geometry; multigrid methods for solving elliptic problems on unstructured grids; algebraic non-overlapping domain decomposition methods for compressible fluid flow problems on unstructured meshes; numerical methods for the compressible navier-stokes equations with application to aerodynamic flows; research in aerodynamic shape optimization; S-HARP: a parallel dynamic spectral partitioner; numerical schemes for the Hamilton-Jacobi and level set equations on triangulated domains; application of high-order shock capturing schemes to direct simulation of turbulence; multicast technology; network testbeds; supercomputer consolidation project.

Oliger, Joseph↗

Mixed mode stress intensity factors for semielliptical surface cracks

The three-dimensional equations of elasticity are solved for a flat elliptical crack which has nonuniform shear stresses applied to its surfaces. An alternating method is used to determine the mode two and mode three stress intensity factors for a semielliptical surface crack in the surface of a finite thickness solid. These stress intensity factors are presented as a function of position along the crack border for a number of crack shapes and crack depths. This same technique is followed to determine the mode one stress intensity factors for the semielliptical surface crack which has normal loading applied to its surface. Mode one stress intensity factors are presented and compared with the results obtained from previous work.

Smith, F. W.↗

Supercritical cascade design

The use of the method of complex extension to achieve better aerodynamic designs for supercritical cascades applicable to transonic turbomachinery is discussed. The method permits the computation of analytical solutions to elliptic, hyperbolic or mixed second-order partial equations in two dimensions. Boundary value problems formulated to develop an airfoil shape having a prescribed speed distribution for subsonic flow and a nearby speed distribution in the transonic case are also considered. Computing times necessary to run the blade design program are described as acceptably short.

Korn, D. G.↗

Numerical modeling of laser thermal propulsion flows

An review of the problems associated with modeling laser thermal propulsion flows, a synopsis of the status of such models, and the attributes of a successful model are presented. The continuous gaseous hydrogen laser-supported combustion wave (LSCW) thruster, for which a high-energy laser system (preferably space-based) should exist by the time the propulsion technology is developed, is considered in particular. The model proposed by Raizer (1970) is based on the assumptions of one-dimensional flow at constant pressure with heat conduction as the principal heat transfer mechanism. Consideration is given to subsequent models which account for radiative transfer into the ambient gas; provide a two-dimensional generalization of Raizer's analysis for the subsonic propagation of laser sparks in air; include the effect of forward plasma radiation in a one-dimensional model; and attempt a time-dependent (elliptic) solution of the full Navier-Stokes equations for the flow in a simple axisymmetric thruster. Attention is also given to thruster and nozzle flow models and thermodynamic and transport properties.

Mccay, T. D.↗

Physical processes in the strong magnetic fields of accreting neutron stars

Analytical formulae are fitted to observational data on physical processes occurring in strong magnetic fields surrounding accreting neutron stars. The propagation of normal modes in the presence of a quantizing magnetic field is discussed in terms of a wave equation in Fourier space, quantum electrodynamic effects, polarization and mode ellipticity. The results are applied to calculating the Thomson scattering, bremsstrahlung and Compton scattering cross-sections, which are a function of the frequency, angle and polarization of the magnetic field. Numerical procedures are explored for solving the radiative transfer equations. When applied to modeling X ray pulsars, a problem arises in the necessity to couple the magnetic angle and frequency dependence of the cross-sections with the hydrodynamic equations. The use of time-dependent averaging and approximation techniques is indicated.

Meszaros, P.↗

Numerical quadrature methods for integrals of singular periodic functions and their application to singular and weakly singular integral equations

High accuracy numerical quadrature methods for integrals of singular periodic functions are proposed. These methods are based on the appropriate Euler-Maclaurin expansions of trapezoidal rule approximations and their extrapolations. They are used to obtain accurate quadrature methods for the solution of singular and weakly singular Fredholm integral equations. Such periodic equations are used in the solution of planar elliptic boundary value problems, elasticity, potential theory, conformal mapping, boundary element methods, free surface flows, etc. The use of the quadrature methods is demonstrated with numerical examples.

Sidi, A.↗

Quadrature methods for periodic singular and weakly singular Fredholm integral equations

High-accuracy numerical quadrature methods for integrals of singular periodic functions are proposed. These methods are based on the appropriate Euler-Maclaurin expansions of trapezoidal rule approximations and their extrapolations. They are subsequently used to obtain accurate quadrature methods for the solution of singular and weakly singular Fredholm integral equations. Throughout the development the periodic nature of the problem plays a crucial role. Such periodic equations are used in the solution of planar elliptic boundary value problems such as those that arise in elasticity, potential theory, conformal mapping, and free surface flows. The use of the quadrature methods is demonstrated with numerical examples.

Sidi, Avram↗

Analysis of nonuniform subsonic flows about a row of moving blades

The motion of a nonuniform flow about a row of moving blades is modeled as that of a three-dimensional rotational disturbance convected by the mean flow. The aerodynamic theories for such flows are reviewed for both linearly propagating disturbances and disturbances distorted by the mean flow. Linear theories results are examined to assess the effects of the gust variables, the Mach number, and the blade spacing, on the unsteady blade response. For loaded blades, the upstream disturbances are distorted by the blade mean flow. For a potential mean flow, the governing equations can be reduced to a single inhomogeneous nonconstant coefficient convective wave equation. A numerical procedure is developed using an elliptic grid system. The accuracy of the solutions strongly depends on the far-field radiation condition and the optimum determination of the grid system. Solutions are presently obtained for thick symmetric airfoils in three-dimensional gusts.

Atassi, H. M.↗

Optimal trajectories based on linear equations

The Principal results of a recent theory of fuel optimal space trajectories for linear differential equations are presented. Both impulsive and bounded-thrust problems are treated. A new form of the Lawden Primer vector is found that is identical for both problems. For this reason, starting iteratives from the solution of the impulsive problem are highly effective in the solution of the two-point boundary-value problem associated with bounded thrust. These results were applied to the problem of fuel optimal maneuvers of a spacecraft near a satellite in circular orbit using the Clohessy-Wiltshire equations. For this case two-point boundary-value problems were solved using a microcomputer, and optimal trajectory shapes displayed. The results of this theory can also be applied if the satellite is in an arbitrary Keplerian orbit through the use of the Tschauner-Hempel equations. A new form of the solution of these equations has been found that is identical for elliptical, parabolic, and hyperbolic orbits except in the way that a certain integral is evaluated. For elliptical orbits this integral is evaluated through the use of the eccentric anomaly. An analogous evaluation is performed for hyperbolic orbits.

Carter, Thomas E.↗

New Nonlinear Multigrid Analysis

The nonlinear multigrid is an efficient algorithm for solving the system of nonlinear equations arising from the numerical discretization of nonlinear elliptic boundary problems. In this paper, we present a new nonlinear multigrid analysis as an extension of the linear multigrid theory presented by Bramble. In particular, we prove the convergence of the nonlinear V-cycle method for a class of mildly nonlinear second order elliptic boundary value problems which do not have full elliptic regularity.

Xie, Dexuan↗

A Parallel Multilevel Spectral Element Scheme

A parallel multilevel strategy is developed using spectral (p) finite elements. Hierarchic bases are particularly well suited since the element matrices and vectors are nested and the multilevel projections easiliy performed. Since the basis degree is used to specify the multigrid level, an EBE strategy is natural br the multilevel technique. Results are presented for two candidate nonlinear elliptic transport problems: the augmented drift-diffusion equations of semiconductor device modeling and the stream function-vorticity equations of incompressible fluid dynamics.

Davis, M. B.↗

Development of a Numeric Predictor-Corrector Aerocapture Guidance for Direct Force Control

Direct force control, where the angle of attack and sideslip angle are modulated, has been proposed as an alternative to bank angle control for aero-assist maneuvers. This paper reimplements the current state-of-the-art aerocapture guidance for bank angle control, Fully Numeric Predictor-corrector Aerocapture Guidance (FNPAG), for direct force control. The optimal control theory underlying the structure of FNPAG is shown to not be applicable to the direct force control approach. Several solution structures for the longitudinal channel are compared by simulating dispersed three-degree-of-freedom trajectories for a reference mission consisting of a low lift-to-drag vehicle and a highly elliptical, 1-sol target orbit around Mars. The equations of motion for the lateral channel are derived, and a controller is designed to target a specified orbital plane. Finally, a Monte Carlo is used to demonstrate the performance of the new guidance.

Matz, Daniel A.↗