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At least 415 records · Page 23

An alternative method of analysis for base accelerated dynamic response in NASTRAN

An alternative method of analysis to determine the dynamic response of structures subjected to base accelerations is presented. The method is exact as opposed to the approximate technique of using unusually large masses and loads to enforce desired base accelerations. This paper presents the relevant equations to motion, ALTERs for direct and modal frequency-, random- and transient-response rigid formats, and illustrative examples.

Elchuri, V.↗

Propagation of flexural and membrane waves with fluid loaded NASTRAN plate and shell elements

Modeling of flexural and membrane type waves existing in various submerged (or in vacuo) plate and/or shell finite element models that are excited with steady state type harmonic loadings proportioned to e(i omega t) is discussed. Only thin walled plates and shells are treated wherein rotary inertia and shear correction factors are not included. More specifically, the issue of determining the shell or plate mesh size needed to represent the spatial distribution of the plate or shell response is of prime importance towards successfully representing the solution to the problem at hand. To this end, a procedure is presented for establishing guide lines for determining the mesh size based on a simple test model that can be used for a variety of plate and shell configurations such as, cylindrical shells with water loading, cylindrical shells in vacuo, plates with water loading, and plates in vacuo. The procedure for doing these four cases is given, with specific numerical examples present only for the cylindrical shell case.

Kalinowski, A. J.↗

Nonlinear Analysis of a Bolted Marine Riser Connector Using NASTRAN Substructuring

Results of an investigation of the behavior of a bolted, flange type marine riser connector is reported. The method used to account for the nonlinear effect of connector separation due to bolt preload and axial tension load is described. The automated multilevel substructing capability of COSMIC/NASTRAN was employed at considerable savings in computer run time. Simplified formulas for computer resources, i.e., computer run times for modules SDCOMP, FBS, and MPYAD, as well as disk storage space, are presented. Actual run time data on a VAX-11/780 is compared with the formulas presented.

Fox, G. L.↗

Automatic Dynamic Aircraft Modeler (ADAM) for the Computer Program NASTRAN

Large general purpose finite element programs require users to develop large quantities of input data. General purpose pre-processors are used to decrease the effort required to develop structural models. Further reduction of effort can be achieved by specific application pre-processors. Automatic Dynamic Aircraft Modeler (ADAM) is one such application specific pre-processor. General purpose pre-processors use points, lines and surfaces to describe geometric shapes. Specifying that ADAM is used only for aircraft structures allows generic structural sections, wing boxes and bodies, to be pre-defined. Hence with only gross dimensions, thicknesses, material properties and pre-defined boundary conditions a complete model of an aircraft can be created.

Griffis, H.↗

The use of COSMIC NASTRAN in an integrated conceptual design environment

Changes in both software and hardware are rapidly bringing conceptual engineering tools like finite element analysis into mainstream mechanical design. Systems that integrate all phases of the manufacturing process provide the most cost benefits. The application of programming concepts like object oriented programming allow for the encapsulation of intelligent data within the design geometry. This combined with declining cost in per seat hardware bring new alternatives to the user.

White, Gil↗

Definition of NASTRAN sets by use of parametric geometry

Many finite element preprocessors describe finite element model geometry with points, lines, surfaces and volumes. One method for describing these basic geometric entities is by use of parametric cubics which are useful for representing complex shapes. The lines, surfaces and volumes may be discretized for follow on finite element analysis. The ability to limit or selectively recover results from the finite element model is extremely important to the analyst. Equally important is the ability to easily apply boundary conditions. Although graphical preprocessors have made these tasks easier, model complexity may not lend itself to easily identify a group of grid points desired for data recovery or application of constraints. A methodology is presented which makes use of the assignment of grid point locations in parametric coordinates. The parametric coordinates provide a convenient ordering of the grid point locations and a method for retrieving the grid point ID's from the parent geometry. The selected grid points may then be used for the generation of the appropriate set and constraint cards.

Baughn, Terry V.↗

Plan, formulate, discuss and correlate a NASTRAN finite element vibrations model of the Boeing Model 360 helicopter airframe

Boeing Helicopter, together with other United States helicopter manufacturers, participated in a finite element applications program to emplace in the United States a superior capability to utilize finite element analysis models in support of helicopter airframe design. The activities relating to planning and creating a finite element vibrations model of the Boeing Model 36-0 composite airframe are summarized, along with the subsequent analytical correlation with ground shake test data.

Gabel, R.↗

Plan, formulate, and discuss a NASTRAN finite element model of the UH-60A helicopter airframe

Under a rotorcraft structural dynamics program sponsored by the NASA Langley Research Center, Sikorsky Aircraft, together with the other major helicopter airframe manufacturers, is engaged in a study to improve the use of finite element analysis to predict the dynamic behavior of helicopter airframes. This program, which was designated DAMVIBS (Design Analysis Methods for VIBrationS), includes activities in the areas of: planning, creating, and documenting finite element models of helicopter airframes; the performance of ground vibration tests; and the correlation of test and analysis. The work performed at Sikorsky Aircraft for planning, creating, and documenting a finite element model of the UH-60A BLACK HAWK helicopter airframe is summarized. A complete description of the components of the helicopter which are to be represented in the model is presented and includes: the structural arrangement, the identification of primary and secondary structure, the components of the drive and power trains, and the attachment of large weight items to the structure. Also presented are the techniques which were used to formulate the structural finite element model for static analysis, for forming the mass and vibration models for dynamic analysis, and the procedures which were used to check out and verify the integrity of the model. Initial predictions for the vibration modes for the helicopter are included.

Dinyovszky, P.↗

Improved NASTRAN plotting

The new 1991 COSMIC/NASTRAN version, compatible with the older versions, tries to remove some old constraints and make it easier to extract information from the plot file. It also includes some useful improvements and new enhancements. New features available in the 1991 version are described. They include a new PLT1 tape with simplified ASCII plot commands and short records, combined hidden and shrunk plot, an x-y-z coordinate system on all structural plots, element offset plot, improved character size control, improved FIND and NOFIND logic, a new NASPLOT post-prosessor to perform screen plotting or generate PostScript files, and a BASIC/NASTPLOT program for PC.

Chan, Gordon C.↗

Sensitivity analysis and optimization issues in NASTRAN

The purpose is to develop procedures to extract sensitivity analysis information from COSMIC/NASTRAN and to couple it with a mathematical optimization package. At present, the analysis will be limited to stress, displacement, and frequency constraints with structures modeled with membrane elements, rods, and bar elements. Two types of sensitivity analysis are discussed: an adjoint variable approach which is most effective when the number of active constraints is significantly less than the number of physical variables, and an approach based on a first order approximation of a Taylor series. The latter approach is more effective when the number of independent design variables is significantly less than the number of active constraints.

Tischler, V. A.↗

Alternative methods to model frictional contact surfaces using NASTRAN

Elongated (slotted) holes have been used extensively for the integration of equipment into Spacelab racks. In the past, this type of interface has been modeled assuming that there is not slippage between contact surfaces, or that there is no load transfer in the direction of the slot. Since the contact surfaces are bolted together, the contact friction provides a load path determined by the normal applied force (bolt preload) and the coefficient of friction. Three alternate methods that utilize spring elements, externally applied couples, and stress dependent elements are examined to model the contacted surfaces. Results of these methods are compared with results obtained from methods that use GAP elements and rigid elements.

Hoang, Joseph↗

Modelling chaotic vibrations using NASTRAN

Due to the unavailability and, later, prohibitive cost of the computational power required, many phenomena in nonlinear dynamic systems have in the past been addressed in terms of linear systems. Linear systems respond to periodic inputs with periodic outputs, and may be characterized in the time domain or in the frequency domain as convenient. Reduction to the frequency domain is frequently desireable to reduce the amount of computation required for solution. Nonlinear systems are only soluble in the time domain, and may exhibit a time history which is extremely sensitive to initial conditions. Such systems are termed chaotic. Dynamic buckling, aeroelasticity, fatigue analysis, control systems and electromechanical actuators are among the areas where chaotic vibrations have been observed. Direct transient analysis over a long time period presents a ready means of simulating the behavior of self-excited or externally excited nonlinear systems for a range of experimental parameters, either to characterize chaotic behavior for development of load spectra, or to define its envelope and preclude its occurrence.

Sheerer, T. J.↗

A methodology to model physical contact between structural components in NASTRAN

Two components of a structure which are located side by side, will come in contact by certain force and will transfer the compressive force along the contact area. If the force acts in the opposite direction, the elements will separate and no force will be transferred. If this contact is modeled, the load path will be correctly represented, and the load redistribution results in more realistic stresses in the structure. This is accomplished by using different sets of rigid elements for different loading conditions, or by creating multipoint constraint sets. Comparison of these two procedures is presented for a 4 panel unit (PU) stowage drawer installed in an experiment rack in the Spacelab Life Sciences (SLS-2) payload.

Prabhu, Annappa A.↗

Parallel Aeroelastic Analysis Using ENSAERO and NASTRAN

A high fidelity parallel static structural analysis capability is created and interfaced to the multidisciplinary analysis package ENSAERO-MPI of Ames Research Center. This new module replaced ENSAERO's lower fidelity simple finite element and modal modules. Full aircraft structures may be more accurately modeled using the new finite element capability. Parallel computation is performed by breaking the full structure into multiple substructures. This approach is conceptually similar to ENSAERO's multi-zonal fluid analysis capability. The new substructure code is used to solve the structural finite element equations for each substructure in parallel. NASTRAN/COSMIC is utilized as a front end for this code. Its full library of elements can be used to create an accurate and realistic aircraft mode. It is used to create the stiffness matrices for each sub-structure. The new parallel code then uses an iterative preconditioned conjugate gradient method to solve the global structural equations for the sub-structure boundary nodes. Results are presented for a wing-body configuration.

Eldred, Lloyd B.↗

Fuzzy Structures Analysis of Aircraft Panels in NASTRAN

This paper concerns an application of the fuzzy structures analysis (FSA) procedures of Soize to prototypical aerospace panels in MSC/NASTRAN, a large commercial finite element program. A brief introduction to the FSA procedures is first provided. The implementation of the FSA methods is then disclosed, and the method is validated by comparison to published results for the forced vibrations of a fuzzy beam. The results of the new implementation show excellent agreement to the benchmark results. The ongoing effort at NASA Langley and Penn State to apply these fuzzy structures analysis procedures to real aircraft panels is then described.

Sparrow, Victor W.↗

NASTRAN DMAP Fuzzy Structures Analysis: Summary of Research

The main proposed tasks of Cooperative Agreement NCC1-382 were: (1) developing MSC/NASTRAN DMAP language scripts to implement the Soize fuzzy structures approach for modeling the dynamics of complex structures; (2) benchmarking the results of the new code to those for a cantilevered beam in the literature; and (3) testing and validating the new code by comparing the fuzzy structures results to NASA Langley experimental and conventional finite element results for two model test structures representative of aircraft fuselage sidewall construction: (A) a small aluminum test panel (SLP, single longeron panel) with a single longitudinal stringer attached with bolts; and (B) a 47 by 72 inch flat aluminum fuselage panel (AFP, aluminum fuselage panel) including six longitudinal stringers and four frame stiffeners attached with rivets.

Sparrow, Victor W.↗

NESSUS/NASTRAN Interface

The NESSUS probabilistic analysis computer program has been developed with a built-in finite element analysis program NESSUS/FEM. However, the NESSUS/FEM program is specialized for engine structures and may not contain sufficient features for other applications. In addition, users often become well acquainted with a particular finite element code and want to use that code for probabilistic structural analysis. For these reasons, this work was undertaken to develop an interface between NESSUS and NASTRAN such that NASTRAN can be used for the finite element analysis and NESSUS can be used for the probabilistic analysis. In addition, NESSUS was restructured such that other finite element codes could be more easily coupled with NESSUS. NESSUS has been enhanced such that NESSUS will modify the NASTRAN input deck for a given set of random variables, run NASTRAN and read the NASTRAN result. The coordination between the two codes is handled automatically. The work described here was implemented within NESSUS 6.2 which was delivered to NASA in September 1995. The code runs on Unix machines: Cray, HP, Sun, SGI and IBM. The new capabilities have been implemented such that a user familiar with NESSUS using NESSUS/FEM and NASTRAN can immediately use NESSUS with NASTRAN. In other words, the interface with NASTRAN has been implemented in an analogous manner to the interface with NESSUS/FEM. Only finite element specific input has been changed. This manual is written as an addendum to the existing NESSUS 6.2 manuals. We assume users have access to NESSUS manuals and are familiar with the operation of NESSUS including probabilistic finite element analysis. Update pages to the NESSUS PFEM manual are contained in Appendix E. The finite element features of the code and the probalistic analysis capabilities are summarized.

Millwater, Harry↗