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At least 397 records · Page 22

Turbulent Premixed Flame Propagation in Microgravity

A facility in which turbulent Couette flow could be generated in a microgravity environment was designed and built. To fit into the NASA Lewis drop tower the device had to be very compact. This means that edge effects and flow re-circulation were expected to affect the flow. The flow was thoroughly investigated using LDV and was found to be largely two dimensional away from the edges with constant turbulence intensities in the core. Slight flow asymmetries are introduced by the non symmetric re-circulation of the fluid outside the test region. Belt flutter problems were remedied by adding a pair of guide plates to the belt. In general, the flow field was found to be quite similar to previously investigated Couette flows. However, turbulence levels and associated shear stresses were higher. This is probably due to the confined re-circulation zone reintroducing turbulence into the test section. An estimate of the length scales in the flow showed that the measurements were able to resolve nearly all the length scales of interest. Using a new LES method for subgrid combustion it has been demonstrated that the new procedure is computational feasible even on workstation type environment. It is found that this model is capable of capturing the propagation of the premixed names by resolving the flame in the LES grid within 2-3 grid points. In contrast, conventional LES results in numerical smearing of the flame and completely inaccurate estimate of the turbulent propagation speed. Preliminary study suggests that there is observable effect of buoyancy in the 1g environment suggesting the need for microgravity experiments of the upcoming experimental combustion studies. With the cold flow properties characterized, an identical hot flow facility is under construction. It is assumed that the turbulence properties ahead of the flame in this new device will closely match the results obtained here. This is required since the hot facility will not enable LDV measurements. The reacting flow facility is also being constructed with planned drop tower experiments in mind. Therefore, issues related to safety and structural integrity are being take into account. Further development of the numerical model will also be carried out to include finite-rate kinetics for representative premixed cases. More detail analysis of the flame structure and propagation nature will be investigated. Simulations will also be compared to the flame properties observed in the experiments.

Menon, S.↗

Space Weathering of Apollo 16 Sample 62255: Lunar Rocks as Witness Plates for Deciphering Regolith Formation Processes

Space weathering, or alteration that occurs at the surfaces of materials exposed directly to space, has been one of the primary areas of focus of lunar studies for the past several years. It is caused by processes such as micrometeorite impacts and solar wind bombardment, and effects can include microcraters, spall zones, and vapor deposits. Much of the recent work on space weathering has been concentrated on nanoscale features, especially the amorphous rims commonly found on individual lunar soil grains. The rims typically contain nanophase Fe metal globules, which, along with Fe metal globules in agglutinates, have a profound effect on optical properties of lunar soils. The nanophase metallic iron globules cause the characteristic optical changes (reddening and darkening) found in mature lunar soils.

Wentworth, S. J.↗

Patterns of deformation and volcanic flows associated with lithospheric loading by large volcanoes on Venus

Magellan radar imaging and topography data are now available for a number of volcanoes on Venus greater than 100 km in radius. These data can be examined to reveal evidence of the flexural response of the lithosphere to the volcanic load. On Venus, erosion and sediment deposition are negligible, so tectonic evidence of deformation around large volcanoes should be evident except where buried by very young flows. Radar images reveal that most tectonic features and flow units on the flanks of these volcanoes have predominantly radial orientations. However, both Tepev Mons in Bell Regio and Sapas Mons in Atla Regio exhibit circumferential graben on their flanks. In addition, images reveal several flow units with an annular character around the north and west flanks of Tepev Mons. This pattern most likely results from ponding of flows in an annular flexural moat. Maat Mons in Atla Regio and Sif Mons in Eistla Regio are examples of volcanoes that lack circumferential graben and annular flows; discernible flow units and fractures on these constructs appear to be predominantly radial. Altimetry data can also provide evidence of flexural response. Tepev Mons is partially encircled by depressions that may be sections of a flexural moat that has not been completely filled. The locations of these depressions generally coincide with the annular flows described above. There is weaker evidence for such depressions around Maat Mons as well. The lack of circumferential tectonic features around most volcanoes on Venus might be explained by gradual moat filling and coverage by radial flows. The depressions around Tepev (and possible Maat) may indicate that this process is currently continuing. We use analytic models of plate flexure in an axisymmetric geometry to constrain the elastic plate thickness supporting Tepev Mons. If we consider the outer radius of the ponded flows to be the edge of a moat, we find that models with elastic plate thickness of 10-20 km fit best. Finite element models of a volcanic load detached from the underlying lithosphere predict overthrusting and radial normal faulting at the volcano's edge. Such a mechanism for the formation of radial rift zones on Venus volcanoes would make such features analogous to structures on the flanks of volcanoes on Earth.

Mcgovern, Patrick J.↗

Investigating the Linear Thermal Expansion of Additively Manufactured Multi-Material Joining between Invar and Steel

This work investigated the linear thermal expansion properties of a multi-material specimen fabricated with Invar M93 and A36 steel. A sequence of tests was performed to investigate the viability of additively manufactured Invar M93 for lowering the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in multi-material part tooling. Invar beads were additively manufactured on a steel base plate using a fiber laser system, and samples were taken from the steel, Invar, and the interface between the two materials. The CTE of the samples was measured between 40 °C and 150 °C using a thermomechanical analyzer, and the elemental composition was studied with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The CTE of samples taken from the steel and the interface remained comparable to that of A36 steel; however, deviations between the thermal expansion values were prevalent due to element diffusion in and around the heat-affected zone. The CTEs measured from the Invar bead were lower than those from the other sections with the largest and smallest thermal expansion values being 10.40 μm/m-K and 2.09 μm/m-K. In each of the sections, the largest CTE was measured from samples taken from the end of the weld beads. An additional test was performed to measure the aggregate expansion of multi-material tools. Invar beads were welded on an A36 steel plate. The invar was machined, and the sample was heated in an oven from 40 °C and 160 °C. Strain gauges were placed on the surface of the part and were used to analyze how the combined thermal expansions of the invar and steel would affect the thermal expansion on the surface of a tool. There were small deviations between the expansion values measured by gauges placed in different orientations, and the elongation of the sample was greatest along the dimension containing a larger percentage of steel. On average, the expansion of the machined Invar surface was 42% less than the expansion of the steel surface. The results of this work demonstrate that additively manufactured Invar can be utilized to decrease the CTE for multi-material part tooling.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The crack-contact and the free-end problem for a strip under residual stress

The plane problem for an infinite strip with two edge cracks under a given state of residual stress is considered. The residual stress is compressive near and at the surfaces and tensile in the interior of the strip. If the crack is deep enough to penetrate into the tensile zone, then the problem is one of crack-contact where the depth of the contact area is an unknown which depends on the crack depth and the residual stress profile. The problem has applications to the static fatigue of glass plates and is solved for three typical residual-stress profiles. In the limiting case of the crack's crossing the entire plate thickness, the problem becomes a stressfree end problem for a semiinfinite strip under a given residual-stress state away from the end. This is a typical stress diffusion problem in which decay behavior of the residual stress near and the nature of the normal displacement at the end of the semiinfinite strip are of special interest. For two typical residual-stress states the solution is obtained, and some numerical results are given.

Bakioglu, M.↗

A Role of the Reaction Kernel in Propagation and Stabilization of Edge Diffusion Flames of C1-C3 Hydrocarbons

Diffusion flame stabilization is of essential importance in both Earth-bound combustion systems and spacecraft fire safety. Local extinction, re-ignition, and propagation processes may occur as a result of interactions between the flame zone and vortices or fire-extinguishing agents. By using a computational fluid dynamics code with a detailed chemistry model for methane combustion, the authors have revealed the chemical kinetic structure of the stabilizing region of both jet and flat-plate diffusion flames, predicted the flame stability limit, and proposed diffusion flame attachment and detachment mechanisms in normal and microgravity. Because of the unique geometry of the edge of diffusion flames, radical back-diffusion against the oxygen-rich entrainment dramatically enhanced chain reactions, thus forming a peak reactivity spot, i.e., reaction kernel, responsible for flame holding. The new results have been obtained for the edge diffusion flame propagation and attached flame structure using various C1-C3 hydrocarbons.

Takahashi, Fumiaki↗

Elasto-plastic analysis of a mode I edge crack with application to a surface notch.

A finite element analysis has been undertaken of the mechanical state of a plate containing a crack subjected to mode I loading. Specifically, a localized, well-defined surface depression (dimple) previously observed on the back surface of plate specimens immediately behind the plane of the crack was examined. The approach taken is concerned with defining more precisely the dimpling behavior as a function of relative flaw depth and applied stress level, as well as the development of the plastic zone at the crack tip.

Francis, P. H.↗

Solar heating and hot water system installed at James Hurst Elementary School, Portsmouth, Virginia

Solar heating and a hot water system installed in an elementary school in Portsmouth, Virginia are examined. The building is zoned into four heating/cooling areas. Each area is equipped with an air handling unit that is monitored and controlled by central control and monitoring system. The solar system for the building uses a collector area of 3,630 sq. ft. of flat plate liquid collectors, and a 6,000 gallon storage tank. System descriptions, maintenance reports, detailed component specifications, and design drawings to evaluate this solar system are reported.

Source record↗

Why does near ridge extensional seismicity occur primarily in the Indian Ocean?

It is argued that though thermoelastic stresses provide a low level background in all plates, the data favoring their contributing significantly to the stress field and seismicity in the young oceanic lithosphere may be interpreted in terms of stresses resulting from individual plate geometry and local boundary effects. The dramatic concentration of extensional seismicity in the Central Indian Ocean region is shown to be consistent with finite element results for the intraplate stress incorporating the effects of the Himalayan collision and the various subduction zones. Most of the data for both ridge-parallel extension and depth stratification are provided by earthquakes in this area, and it is suggested that these effects may be due more to the regional stress.

Stein, Seth↗

Preliminary studies on NiAl/Nb2Be17 reaction and effectiveness of BeO as an interfacial reaction barrier

The interfacial reaction between NiAl and Nb2Be17 (used as a reinforcement for the alloy) was studied by measuring diffusion bonding of NiAl and Nb2Be17 plates in a hot press under a vacuum of 10 exp -5 atm. It was found that, after 2 hrs of hot pressing at 1373 K, the reaction between NiAl and Nb2Be17 was extensive. A 40 to 50-micron-thick reaction zone consisted of three distinct layers at the NiAl/Nb2Be17 interface: layer A next to Nb2Be17, layer B in the middle, and layer C next to NiAl. Results of analysis of the reaction layers using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were inconclusive because of the inabiliaty of EDS to detect Be.

Misra, Ajay K.↗

Pressure distribution on wings in reversed flow

The series of pressure distribution measurements at three test sections on NACA airfoils 2212 and M6 within 170 to 210 angles of attack in reversed flow proved to be largely independent of the profile form. In contradiction to the pressure distribution in normal flow considerable negative pressure from the upper surface spills over onto the lower surface, and vice versa, even in the zone of sound flow. The results are presented as chord-wise pressure and load distribution. The spanwise lift distribution and the total lift coefficients of the wing obtained by integration manifest approximate agreement with the behavior of a diagonally disposed flat plate. By consideration of the ground effect (represented by a flat wall) the lower surface of the wing shows an increase in the low pressure.

Naumann, A↗

Crustal Deformation in Southcentral Alaska: The 1964 Prince William Sound Earthquake Subduction Zone

This article, for Advances in Geophysics, is a summary of crustal deformation studies in southcentral Alaska. In 1964, southcentral Alaska was struck by the largest earthquake (moment magnitude 9.2) occurring in historical times in North America and the second largest earthquake occurring in the world during the past century. Conventional and space-based geodetic measurements have revealed a complex temporal-spatial pattern of crustal movement. Numerical models suggest that ongoing convergence between the North America and Pacific Plates, viscoelastic rebound, aseismic creep along the tectonic plate interface, and variable plate coupling all play important roles in controlling both the surface and subsurface movements. The geodetic data sets include tide-gauge observations that in some cases provide records back to the decades preceding the earthquake, leveling data that span a few decades around the earthquake, VLBI data from the late 1980s, and GPS data since the mid-1990s. Geologic data provide additional estimates of vertical movements and a chronology of large seismic events. Some of the important features that are revealed by the ensemble of studies that are reviewed in this paper include: (1) Crustal uplift in the region that subsided by up 2 m at the time of the earthquake is as much as 1 m since the earthquake. In the Turnagain Arm and Kenai Peninsula regions of southcentral Alaska, uplift rates in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake reached 150 mm/yr , but this rapid uplift decayed rapidly after the first few years following the earthquake. (2) At some other locales, notably those away the middle of the coseismic rupture zone, postseismic uplift rates were initially slower but the rates decay over a longer time interval. At Kodiak Island, for example, the uplift rates have been decreasing at a rate of about 7mm/yr per decade. At yet other locations, the uplift rates have shown little time dependence so far, but are thought not to be sustainable throughout the several hundred year recurrence time for great earthquake. The nearly 10 mm/yr uplift rate at Seldovia on the Kenai Peninsula is an example.

Cohen, Steven C.↗

Effect of tool design and pass strategy on defect elimination and uniform, enhanced tensile properties of friction stir processed high-pressure die-cast A380 alloy

This work reports implementation of friction stir processing (FSP) to locally modify microstructure and create a defect-free processing zone with the aid of different tool designs and altering the passing strategy for two different process parameter combinations. Here, FSP is applied on high pressure die-cast (HPDC) A380 alloy, a widely used Al-Si alloy fabricated in the die casting sector for automotive and aerospace applications. However, the presence of gas and shrinkage porosity, brittle needle-shaped Fe-containing ß-FeSiAl 5 intermetallic compounds, Al-dendrites, coarse and acicular silicon particles, and large second-phase particulates have a detrimental influence on the uniformity of tensile properties across the thickness direction of an HPDC plate. FSP is able to eliminate porosity, refine microstructure and improve tensile properties. An FSP tool design and a passing strategy are identified for the best microstructure consolidation and uniform enhanced tensile properties. This study noted the importance of tool features such as scroll design and flats on tool pin and multiple pass orientation strategy to find best combination of defect-free refined microstructure and uniform tensile strength and ductility across the processing zone of HPDC Al alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Direct-write laser-assisted patterning of form birefringence in wave plates fabricated by glancing-angle deposition

The development of optics that provide spatial control of birefringence could enable better control of laser beam polarization, but available solutions are limited. Here we demonstrate a method to locally modify the birefringence of wave plates fabricated by glancing-angle deposition. The method employs localized melting of the anisotropic microstructure in a vacuum environment to alter the local birefringence. We demonstrate that this process is only possible under high vacuum to avoid trapping air within the melt zone. The direct-write method presented here can be readily utilized for coatings exhibiting form birefringence of virtually any chemical composition, size, and format.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The Crack-contact and the Free End Problem for a Strip Under Residual Stress

The plane problem for an infinite strip with two edge cracks under a given state of residual stress is considered. The residual stress is compressive near and at the surfaces and tensile in the interior of the strip. If the crack is deep enough to penetrate into the tensile zone, then the problem is one of crack-contact problem in which the depth of the contact area is an unknown which depends on the crack depth and the residual stress profile. The problem has applications to the static fatigue of glass plates and is solved for three typical residual stress profiles. In the limiting case of the crack crossing the entire plate thickness, the problem becomes a stress-free end problem for a semi-infinite strip under a given residual stress state away from the end. This is a typical stress diffusion problem in which decay behavior of the residual stress near and the nature of the normal displacement at the end of the semi-infinite strip are of special interest. For two typical residual stress states the solution is obtained, and some numerical results are given.

Bakioglu, M.↗

Residual strength assessment of low velocity impact damage of graphite-epoxy laminates

This report contains the study of Low Velocity Transverse Impact Damage of graphite-epoxy T300/5208 composite laminates. The specimen, 100 mm diameter clamped plates, were impact damaged by a cantilever-type instrumented 1-inch diameter steel ball. Study was limited to impact velocity 6 m/sec. Rectangular strips, 50 mm x 125 mm, were cut from the impact-damage specimens so that the impact damage zone was in the center of the strips. These strips were tested in tension to obtain their residual strength. An energy dissipation model was developed to predict the residual strength from fracture mechanics concepts. Net energy absorbed I(a) was evaluated from coefficient of restitution concepts based on shear dominated theory of fiber-reinforced materials, with the modification that during loading and unloading the shear deformation are respectively elastic-plastic and elastic. Delamination energy I(d) was predicted by assuming that the stiffness of the laminate dropped due to debonding. Fiber-breakage energy, assumed to be equal to the difference of I(a) and I(d), was used to determine the residual strength. Predictions were compared with test results.

Lal, K. M.↗

A review and analysis of boundary layer transition data for turbine application

A symposium on transition in turbines was held at the NASA Lewis Research Center. One recommendation of the working groups was the collection of existing transition data to provide standard cases against which models could be tested. A number of data sets from the open literature that include heat transfer data in apparently transitional boundary layers, with particular application to the turbine environment, were reviewed and analyzed to extract transition information from the heat transfer data. The data sets reviewed cover a wide range of flow conditions, from low speed, flat plate tests to full scale turbine airfoils operating at simulated turbine engine conditions. The results indicate that free stream turbulence and pressure gradient have strong, and opposite, effects on the location of the start of transition and on the length of the transition zone.

Gaugler, R. E.↗

A review and analysis of boundary layer transition data for turbine application

A symposium on transition in turbines was held at the NASA Lewis Research Center. One recommendation of the working groups was the collection of existing transition data to provide standard cases against which models could be tested. A number of data sets from the open literature that include heat transfer data in apparently transitional boundary layers, with particular application to the turbine environment, were reviewed and analyzed to extract transition information from the heat transfer data. The data sets reviewed cover a wide range of flow conditions, from low speed, flat plate tests to full scale turbine airfoils operating at simulated turbine engine conditions. The results indicate that free stream turbulence and pressure gradient have strong, and opposite, effects on the location of the start of transition and on the length of the transition zone.

Gaugler, R. E.↗