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At least 433 records · Page 24

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NASA NTRS2008

Numerical Determination of Critical Conditions for Thermal Ignition

The determination of ignition or thermal explosion in an oxidizing porous body of material, as described by a dimensionless reaction-diffusion equation of the form .tu = .2u + .e-1/u over the bounded region O, is critically reexamined from a modern perspective using numerical methodologies. First, the classic stationary model is revisited to establish the proper reference frame for the steady-state solution space, and it is demonstrated how the resulting nonlinear two-point boundary value problem can be reexpressed as an initial value problem for a system of first-order differential equations, which may be readily solved using standard algorithms. Then, the numerical procedure is implemented and thoroughly validated against previous computational results based on sophisticated path-following techniques. Next, the transient nonstationary model is attacked, and the full nonlinear form of the reaction-diffusion equation, including a generalized convective boundary condition, is discretized and expressed as a system of linear algebraic equations. The numerical methodology is implemented as a computer algorithm, and validation computations are carried out as a prelude to a broad-ranging evaluation of the assembly problem and identification of the watershed critical initial temperature conditions for thermal ignition. This numerical methodology is then used as the basis for studying the relationship between the shape of the critical initial temperature distribution and the corresponding spatial moments of its energy content integral and an attempt to forge a fundamental conjecture governing this relation. Finally, the effects of dynamic boundary conditions on the classic storage problem are investigated and the groundwork is laid for the development of an approximate solution methodology based on adaptation of the standard stationary model.

Luo, W.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Singular perturbation analysis of the atmospheric orbital plane change problem

A three-state model is presented for the aeroassisted orbital plane change problem. A further model order reduction to a single state model is examined using singular perturbation theory. The optimal solution for this single state model compares favorably with the exact numerical solution using a four-state model; however, a separate boundary layer solution is required to satisfy the terminal constraint on altitude. This, in general, involves the solution of a two-point boundary value problem, but for a two-state model. An approximation is introduced to obtain an analytical control solution for lift and bank angle. Included are numerical simulation results of a guidance law derived from this analysis, along with comparison to earlier work by other researchers.

Calise, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1996

First-Order System Least-Squares for Second-Order Elliptic Problems with Discontinuous Coefficients

The first-order system least-squares methodology represents an alternative to standard mixed finite element methods. Among its advantages is the fact that the finite element spaces approximating the pressure and flux variables are not restricted by the inf-sup condition and that the least-squares functional itself serves as an appropriate error measure. This paper studies the first-order system least-squares approach for scalar second-order elliptic boundary value problems with discontinuous coefficients. Ellipticity of an appropriately scaled least-squares bilinear form of the size of the jumps in the coefficients leading to adequate finite element approximation results. The occurrence of singularities at interface corners and cross-points is discussed. and a weighted least-squares functional is introduced to handle such cases. Numerical experiments are presented for two test problems to illustrate the performance of this approach.

Manteuffel, Thomas A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

A mixed-mode crack analysis of rectilinear anisotropic solids using conservation laws of elasticity

A very simple and convenient method of analysis for studying two-dimensional mixed-mode crack problems in rectilinear anisotropic solids is presented. The analysis is formulated on the basis of conservation laws of anisotropic elasticity and of fundamental relationships in anisotropic fracture mechanics. The problem is reduced to a system of linear algebraic equations in mixed-mode stress intensity factors. One of the salient features of the present approach is that it can determine directly the mixed-mode stress intensity solutions from the conservation integrals evaluated along a path removed from the crack-tip region without the need of solving the corresponding complex near-field boundary value problem. Several examples with solutions available in the literature are solved to ensure the accuracy of the current analysis. This method is further demonstrated to be superior to other approaches in its numerical simplicity and computational efficiency. Solutions of more complicated and practical engineering problems dealing with the crack emanating from a circular hole in composites are presented also to illustrate the capacity of this method.

Wang, S. S.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Numerical approximation of boundary conditions with applications to inviscid equations of gas dynamics

A comprehensive overview of the state of the art of well-posedness and stability analysis of difference approximations for initial boundary value problems of the hyperbolic type is presented. The applicability of recent theoretical development to practical calculations for nonlinear gas dynamics is examined. The one dimensional inviscid gas dynamics equations in conservation law form are selected for numerical experiments. The class of implicit schemes developed from linear multistep methods in ordinary differential equations is chosen and the use of linear extrapolation as an explicit or implicit boundary scheme is emphasized. Specification of boundary data in the primitive variables and computation in terms of the conservative variables in the interior is discussed. Some numerical examples for the quasi-one-dimensional nozzle are given.

Yee, H. C.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Stability of finite difference models containing two boundaries or interfaces

The stability of finite difference models of hyperbolic initial boundary value problems is connected with the propagation and reflection of parasitic waves. Wave propagation ideas are applied to models containing two boundaires or interfaces, where repeated reflection of trapped wave packets is a potential new source of instability. Various known instability phenomena are accounted for in a unified way. Results show: (1) dissipativity does not ensure stability when three or more formulas are concatenated at a boundary or internal interface; (2) algebraic GKS instabilities can be converted by a second boundary to exponential instabilities only when an infinite numerical reflection coefficient is present; and (3) GKS-stability and P-stability can be established in certain problems by showing that all numerical reflection coefficients have modulus less than 1.

Trefethen, L. N.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The dynamics and control of large flexible space structures X, part 1

The effect of delay in the control system input on the stability of a continuously acting controller which is designed without considering the delay is studied. The stability analysis of a second order plant is studied analytically and verified numerically. For this example it is found that the system becomes unstable for a delay which is equivalent to only 16 percent of its natural period of motion. It is also observed that even a small amount of natural damping in the system can increase the amount of delay that can be tolerated before the onset of instability. The delay problem is formulated in the discrete time domain and an analysis procedure suggested. The maximum principle from optimal control theory is applied to minimize the time required for the slewing of a general rigid spacecraft. The slewing motion need not be restricted to a single axis maneuver. The minimum slewing time is calculated based on a quasi-linearization algorithm for the resulting two point boundary value problem. Numerical examples based on the rigidized in-orbit model of the SCOLE also include the more general reflector line-of-sight slewing maneuvers.

Bainum, Peter M.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Constrained optimal controller for linear systems with state and control dependent disturbance

The problem is posed with the additional constraints that the dynamic controller uses only noise-corrupted outputs, and that its dimension is significantly lower than that of a Kalman filter. The unknown disturbance is viewed as an adversary which tries to maximize a performance criterion: a criterion that the controller gains attempt to minimize. The optimal controller gains are determined by solving a nonlinear matrix two-point boundary value problem.

Basuthakur, S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Multi-level adaptive finite element methods. 1: Variation problems

A general numerical strategy for solving partial differential equations and other functional problems by cycling between coarser and finer levels of discretization is described. Optimal discretization schemes are provided together with very fast general solvers. It is described in terms of finite element discretizations of general nonlinear minimization problems. The basic processes (relaxation sweeps, fine-grid-to-coarse-grid transfers of residuals, coarse-to-fine interpolations of corrections) are directly and naturally determined by the objective functional and the sequence of approximation spaces. The natural processes, however, are not always optimal. Concrete examples are given and some new techniques are reviewed. Including the local truncation extrapolation and a multilevel procedure for inexpensively solving chains of many boundary value problems, such as those arising in the solution of time-dependent problems.

Brandt, A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Fuel-optimal trajectories for aeroassisted coplanar orbital transfer problem

The optimal control problem arising in coplanar orbital transfer employing aeroassist technology is addressed. The maneuver involves the transfer from high to low earth orbit via the atmosphere, with the object of minimizing the total fuel consumption. Simulations are carried out to obtain the fuel-optimal trajectories for flying the spacecraft through the atmosphere. A highlight is the application of an efficient multiple-shooting method for treating the nonlinear two-point boundary value problem resulting from the optimizaion procedure. The strategy for the atmospheric portion of the minimum-fuel transfer is to fly at the maximum lift-to-drag ratio L/D initially in order to recover from the downward plunge, and then to fly at a negative L/D to level off the flight so that the vehicle skips out of the atmosphere with a flight path angle near zero degrees.

Naidu, Desineni Subbaramaiah↗

NASA NTRS1988

Fuel-optimal trajectories for aeroassisted coplanar orbital transfer problem

The optimal-control problem arising in coplanar orbital transfer using aeroassist technology is addressed. The maneuver involves the transfer from high earth orbit to low earth orbit with minimum fuel consumption. Simulations are carried out to obtain a corridor of entry conditions which are suitable for flying the spacecraft through the atmosphere. A highlight of the present work is the application of an efficient multiple shooting method for handling the difficult nonlinear two-point boundary value problem resulting from the optimization procedure.

Naidu, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Survey of the status of finite element methods for partial differential equations

The finite element methods (FEM) have proved to be a powerful technique for the solution of boundary value problems associated with partial differential equations of either elliptic, parabolic, or hyperbolic type. They also have a good potential for utilization on parallel computers particularly in relation to the concept of domain decomposition. This report is intended as an introduction to the FEM for the nonspecialist. It contains a survey which is totally nonexhaustive, and it also contains as an illustration, a report on some new results concerning two specific applications, namely a free boundary fluid-structure interaction problem and the Euler equations for inviscid flows.

Temam, Roger↗

NASA NTRS2004

A Meshless Method Using Radial Basis Functions for Beam Bending Problems

A meshless local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) method that uses radial basis functions (RBFs) as trial functions in the study of Euler-Bernoulli beam problems is presented. RBFs, rather than generalized moving least squares (GMLS) interpolations, are used to develop the trial functions. This choice yields a computationally simpler method as fewer matrix inversions and multiplications are required than when GMLS interpolations are used. Test functions are chosen as simple weight functions as they are in the conventional MLPG method. Compactly and noncompactly supported RBFs are considered. Noncompactly supported cubic RBFs are found to be preferable. Patch tests, mixed boundary value problems, and problems with complex loading conditions are considered. Results obtained from the radial basis MLPG method are either of comparable or better accuracy than those obtained when using the conventional MLPG method.

Raju, I. S.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Numerical simulation of low gravity draining

A boundary value problem was solved numerically for a liquid that is assumed to be inviscid and incompressible, having a motion that is irrotational and axisymmetric, and having a constant (5 degrees) solid-liquid contact angle. The avoidance of excessive mesh distortion, encountered with strictly Lagrangian or Eulerian kinematics, was achieved by introducing an auxiliary kinematic velocity field along the free surface in order to vary the trajectories used in integrating the ordinary differential equations simulating the moving boundary. The computation of the velocity potential was based upon a nonuniform triangular mesh which was automatically revised to varying depths to accommodate the motion of the free surface. These methods permitted calculation of draining induced axisymmetric slosh through the many (or fractional) finite amplitude oscillations that can occur depending upon the balance of draining, gravitational, and surface tension forces. Velocity fields, evolution of the free surface with time, and liquid residual volumes were computed for three and one half decades of Weber number and for two Bond numbers, tank fill levels, and drain radii. Comparisons with experimental data are very satisfactory.

Bizzell, G. D.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Adaptive mesh refinement and turbulence modeling

Adaptive mesh refinement is shown to be essential in turbulence modeling. Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) is a more computationally efficient means to obtain a discrete approximation to a continuous boundary value problem of a specified accuracy than classic isotropic grid refinement. Previous application of this methodology in the assessment of turbulence models suggested that the field variable solution on the interior of the domain was more sensitive to grid refinement than would be suggested by the sensitivity to grid refinement of surface quantities. Revisiting challenging high speed flow field revealed that issues believed to be fundamental turbulence model issues appear to be related to an under-resolved boundary layer edge – a flow detail previously considered unimportant.

Hypersonics↗

NASA NTRS1989

Fuel-optimal trajectories of aeroassisted orbital transfer with plane change

The problem of minimization of fuel consumption during the atmospheric portion of an aeroassisted, orbital transfer with plane change is addressed. The complete mission has required three characteristic velocities, a deorbit impulse at high earth orbit (HEO), a boost impulse at the atmospheric exit, and a reorbit impulse at low earth orbit (LEO). A performance index has been formulated as the sum of these three impulses. Application of optimal control principles has led to a nonlinear, two-point, boundary value problem which was solved by using a multiple shooting algorithm. The strategy for the atmospheric portion of the minimum-fuel transfer is to start initially with the maximum positive lift in order to recover from the downward plunge, and then to fly with a gradually decreasing lift such that the vehicle skips out of the atmosphere with a flight path angle near zero degrees.

Naidu, Desineni Subbaramaiah↗

NASA NTRS1989

Fuel-optimal trajectories of aeroassisted orbital transfer with plane change

Naidu, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Transient analysis of phase-locked tracking systems in the presence of noise.

This paper is concerned with the problem of obtaining time-dependent solutions to a class of Fokker-Planck equations that arise in the analysis and synthesis of a variety of first-order synchronization systems employing the phase-lock principle. These include the classical sinusoidal phase-locked loop, squaring and Costas loops, data-aided loops, hybrid loops, various symbol synchronizer mechanizations, and tunnel-diode oscillators. By analyzing the spectral properties of the associated time-dependent Fokker-Planck boundary value problem, eigenfunction expansions of the reduced modulo-2-pi phase-error-transition probability-density function are developed for a class of first-order synchronization systems.

La Frieda, J. R.↗