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At least 433 records · Page 24

Nondestructive shell-stability estimation by a combined-loading technique.

The variation of specimen lateral stiffness with compressive axial loading is studied experimentally, and it is demonstrated that buckling loads can be predicted for monocoque shells from such data. A study of the initial specimen geometry is presented, and an evaluation is made of its effect on the distribution of stiffness at zero axial load. When the lateral test force used to determine the stiffness is considered as a destabilizing load in combination with the axial compression, it is shown that critical values of the force can be estimated by the 'Southwell plot' procedure. These critical forces can be correlated with axial load and extrapolated to yield an accurate estimate of the buckling load.

Craig, J. I.↗

Crack-opening displacements in center-crack, compact, and crack-line wedge-loaded specimens

The theoretical crack-opening displacements for center-crack, compact, and crack-line wedge-loaded specimens (reported in the ASTM Proposed Recommended Practice for R-Curve Determination (1974)) disagree with experimental measurements in the literature. The disagreement is a result of using approximate specimen configurations and load representation to obtain the theoretical displacements. An improved method of boundary collocation is presented which was used to obtain the theoretical displacements in these three specimen types; the actual specimen configurations and more accurate load representation were used. In the analysis of crack-opening displacements in the compact and crack-line wedge-loaded specimens, the effects of the pin-loaded holes were also included. The theoretical calculations agree with the experimental measurements reported in the literature. Also examined are accurate polynomial expressions for crack-opening displacements in both compact and crack-line wedge-loaded specimens.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗

RTLS entry load relief parameter optimization

The results are presented of a study of a candidate load relief control law for use during the pullup phase of Return-to-Launch-Site (RTLS) abort entries. The control law parameters and cycle time which optimized performance of the normal load factor limiting phase (load relief phase) of an RTLS entry are examined. A set of control law gains, a smoothing parameter, and a normal force coefficient curve fit are established which resulted in good load relief performance considering the possible aerodynamic coefficient uncertainties defined. Also, the examination of various guidance cycle times revealed improved load relief performance with decreasing cycle time. A .5 second cycle provided smooth and adequate load relief in the presence of all the aerodynamic uncertainties examined.

Crull, T. J.↗

Determination of nonlinear energy toughness values for cyclic loading applications

For several years the nonlinear energy method proposed by Liebowitz and Eftis has been examined as a failure criterion for static testing of center-cracked and compact tension specimens. Since the method appears to be valid under conditions of crack-tip plasticity, subcritical crack growth and load relaxation, tests have been conducted to ascertain the merit of this method as a failure criterion under cyclic loading conditions. The nonlinear energy toughness for cyclic loading is obtained from an envelope of the cyclic load-displacement record, which naturally imposes some restrictions on the loading program. The cyclic toughness parameter has been evaluated for thin center-cracked sheets of 2024-T3 and 7075-T6 aluminum alloys. Both alloys exhibited a significant reduction of the cyclic toughness parameter with increasing cyclic life in a manner similar to the classical S-N diagram. It is suggested that this method may serve the design process by allowing the establishment of a fracture toughness parameter capable of including the effects of the entire loading history of a structure into the fracture toughness requirements.

Poulose, P. K.↗

Gaussian step-pressure loading of rigid viscoplastic plates

The response of a thin, rigid viscoplastic plate subjected to a spatially axisymmetric Gaussian step pressure impulse loading was studied analytically. A Gaussian pressure distribution in excess of the collapse load was applied to the plate, held constant for a length of time, and then suddenly removed. The plate deforms with monotonically increasing deflections until the dynamic energy is completely dissipated in plastic work. The simply supported plate of uniform thickness obeys the von Mises yield criterion and a generalized constitutive equation for rigid viscoplastic materials. For the small deflection bending response of the plate, the governing system of equations is essentially nonlinear. Transverse shear stress is neglected in the yield condition and rotary inertia in the equations of dynamic equilibrium. A proportional loading technique, known to give excellent approximations of the exact solution for the uniform load case, was used to linearize the problem and to obtain the analytical solutions in the form of eigenvalue expansions. The effects of load concentration, of an order of magnitude change in the viscosity of the plate material, and of load duration were examined while holding the total impulse constant.

Hayduk, R. J.↗

Summary of Voyager Design and Flight Loads

Estimates of flight loads for Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are summarized and compared to the Voyager design loads obtained from the shock spectra/impedance method and to the loads obtained using space vehicle transient loads analysis. These estimates were obtained by using the measured flight accelerations at the launch vehicle/spacecraft interface as forcing functions for the Voyager mathematical model. Based on these data, an assessment of the shock spectra/impedance loads method used for Voyager is presented. The following conclusions were reached: (1) the shock spectra approach provided reasonable conservative design loads for Voyager, (2) care has to be executed to insure that all critical events are accounted for in constructing shock spectra envelopes, (3) the selection of critical events is not always obvious, especially for those flight events wherein the spacecraft dynamic characteristics are important, and (4) the success of the method is strongly dependent on the analysts' experience and judgement.

Chen, J. C.↗

A survey of load methodologies for shuttle orbiter payloads

Loads methods currently being used to design shuttle orbiter payloads are summarized. Methods used for the design of payloads launched by expendable launch vehicles are described in historical perspective. Experiences gained from expendable launch vehicle payloads are used to develop methodologies for the space shuttle orbiter payloads. The objectives for the development of a new methodology for the shuttle payloads are to reduce the cost and schedule for the payload load analysis by decoupling the payload analysis from the launch vehicle to the maximum extent possible. Methods are described for payload member load estimation or obtaining upper bounds for dynamic loads, as well as load prediction or calculating actual transient member load time histories.

Chen, J. C.↗

A survey of load methodologies for shuttle orbiter payloads

Loads methods currently being used to design planetary spacecraft to be launched on the shuttle orbiter are summarized. Experiences gained from expendable launch vehicle payloads are used to develop methodologies for the space shuttle orbiter payloads. The objectives for the development of a new methodology for the shuttle payloads are to reduce the cost and schedule for the payload load analysis by decoupling the payload analysis from the launch vehicle to the maximum extent possible. Methods are described for payload member load estimation or obtaining upper bounds for dynamic loads, as well as load prediction or calculating actual transient member load time histories.

Chen, J. C.↗

Accelerated development and flight evaluation of active controls concepts for subsonic transport aircraft. Volume 1: Load alleviation/extended span development and flight tests

Active wing load alleviation to extend the wing span by 5.8 percent, giving a 3 percent reduction in cruise drag is covered. The active wing load alleviation used symmetric motions of the outboard ailerons for maneuver load control (MLC) and elastic mode suppression (EMS), and stabilizer motions for gust load alleviation (GLA). Slow maneuvers verified the MLC, and open and closed-loop flight frequency response tests verified the aircraft dynamic response to symmetric aileron and stabilizer drives as well as the active system performance. Flight tests in turbulence verified the effectiveness of the active controls in reducing gust-induced wing loads. It is concluded that active wing load alleviation/extended span is proven in the L-1011 and is ready for application to airline service; it is a very practical way to obtain the increased efficiency of a higher aspect ratio wing with minimum structural impact.

Johnston, J. F.↗

Spacecraft loads methodology - Transient vs. shock spectra method

The methodology for the establishment of spacecraft loads is strongly influenced by project constraints which include the cost, schedule and allowable weight. The most rigorous approach is the transient loads analysis which requires a composite mathematical model of the spacecraft and launch vehicle. The structural member loads for the entire composite structure are computed by applying the forcing functions, which represent various dynamic environments during the mission, to the composite model. Although this method ideally leads to a lightweight design, it is costly and time consuming due to complex interfaces involving many organizations. To reduce complexity and cost a shock spectra method has been used to design spacecraft structures. This method utilizes envelopes of shock spectra of launch vehicle accelerations obtained from analysis and/or flight measurements. Since only limited information on the launch vehicle model is involved in this process the design loads iteration cycle can be rapidly performed within the payload organization. In the present paper, these two methods will be evaluated by comparing the loads for several spacecraft. Flight measured loads will also be used in the evaluation.

Chen, J. C.↗

Unsteady environments and responses of the shuttle combined loads orbiter test

Both separate and combined wind tunnel and vibration shaker tests were conducted on two structural panels representative of the Shuttle orbiter in the NASA LaRC 8-foot transonic pressure tunnel (TPT) to determine the effects of combined loads on the thermal protection system (TPS). The primary objective of this test was to provide a combined full-scale load environment and realistic time history of the dynamic pressures, Mach numbers (through transonic), and dynamic structural responses of these panels. The panels were selected from orbiter locations where interactive load sources such as aerodynamic shock waves, turbulent boundary layers, strut-induced vorticity, and substrate deformation combined to provide high bonding loads between the TPS and the orbiter structure. The test panels for this program were highly instrumented with static and dynamic pressure gages, accelerometers, deflectometers, strain gages, Schileren and high-speed photography, and special instrumentation necessary to determine TPS/structure interface loads and tile motions. Two test specimens of each orbiter panel were utilized. Both were high-fidelity representations of the selected orbiter location. The first panel (calibration panel) for each test was utilized to calibrate the tunnel and shaker system as well as provide a data-gathering source for applied static and dynamic loads. The second panel (test panel) for each test was subjected to flight time exposures only so that TPS characteristics as a function of flight mission exposure could be determined. These tests were the last in a series that was suce6ssfully completed and necessary to certify the TPS prior to the first launching of the Shuttle.

P. H. Schuetz↗

Loads environment for payload/cargo integration

Space Shuttle users are required to design their payload to the Shuttle loads environment. This loads environment covers mission phases from prelaunch to landing. Transient response loads analyses are required for lift-off and landing events. Other mission events are analyzed statically because they result in payload loads that either change slowly or are lower than lift-off and landing loads. Response data from flight instrumentation located on the orbiter and payloads have been compared to preflight design conditions and to nominal predictions. The results have verified that the design loads envelop flight responses.

Frederick, D. H.↗

Large deflections of circular isotropic membranes subjected to arbitrary axisymmetric loading

Circular membranes with fixed peripheral edges, subjected to arbitrary axisymmetric loading are analyzed. A single governing differential equation in terms of radial stress is used. This nonlinear governing equation is solved using the finite difference method in conjunction with Newton-Raphson method. Three loading cases, namely (1) uniformly loaded membrane, (2) a membrane with uniform load over an inner portion, and (3) a membrane with ring load, are analyzed. Calculated central displacement and the central and edge radial stresses for uniformly loaded membrane, agree extremely well with the classical solution.

Kelkar, A.↗

Response of long shallow cylindrical panels to radial line loads

The large displacement static response of shallow orthotropic panels subjected to lateral loading is examined both theoretically and experimentally. The panels are circular cylindrical open shells which are also thin and long. The straight edges are simply supported at a fixed distance apart, and the curved edges are free. The lateral load is a spatially uniform line load acting along the generator direction of the cylinder, and is directed radially inward toward the center of curvature. The load induces a circumferential thrust, and the panel can, and does, snap-through to an inverted configuration at the buckling load. The effect of load position on the response is also examined. The test panels discussed in the paper are /(90/0)3/S graphite-epoxy laminates. Nominal dimensions are a radius of 60 in., a thickness of 0.060 in., and an arc length of 12 in. Very good agreement between theory and experiment is achieved.

Johnson, E. R.↗

Learjet Model 55 Wing Analysis with Landing Loads

The NASTRAN analysis was used to determine the impact of new landing loads on the Learjet Model 55 wing. These new landing loads were the result of a performance improvement effort to increase the landing weight of the aircraft to 18,000 lbs. from 17,000 lbs. and extend the life of the tires and brakes by incorporating larger tires and heavy duty brakes. Landing loads for the original 17,000 lb. airplane landing configuration were applied to the full airplane NASTRAN model. The analytical results were correlated with the strain gage data from the original landing load static tests. The landing loads for the 18,000 lb. airplane were applied to the full airplane NASTRAN model, and a comparison was made with the original Model 55 data. The results of this comparison enable Learjet to determine the difference in stress distribution in the wing due to these two different sets of landing loads.

Boroughs, R. R.↗

Planetary reorientation by surface loads

Non-hydrostatic concentrations of mass at the surface of the planet have been suggested as mechanisms of permanent reorientation for all of the terrestrial planets and for the Moon. In order for such a load to control planetary orientation, three conditions must be satisfied. The surface load must be non-hydrostatically supported; the surface load must be large compared to internal departures from a hydrostatic mass distribution; and the load must be large compared to hydrostatic departures of the planetary figure from a sphere. The third condition comes from the consideration that if the load is non-hydrostatically supported, then the same processes which support the load will also the hydrostatic figure.

Willemann, R. J.↗

Large deflections of circular isotropic membranes subjected to arbitrary axisymmetric loading

Circular membranes with fixed peripheral edges, subjected to arbitrary axisymmetric loading were analyzed. A single governing differential equation in terms of radial stress was used. This nonlinear governing equation was solved using the finite difference method in conjunction with Newton-Raphson method. Three loading cases, namely: (1) uniformly loaded membrane, (2) a membrane with uniform load over an inner portion, and (3) a membrane with ring load, were analyzed. Calculated central displacement and the central and edge radial stresses for uniformly loaded membrane, agreed extremely well with the classical solution.

Kelkar, A.↗

Analyzing Static Loading of Complex Structures

Critical loading conditions determined from analysis of each structural element. Automated Thrust Structures Loads and Stresses (ATLAS) system is series of programs developed to analyze elements of complex structure under static-loading conditions. ATLAS calculates internal loads, beam-bending loads, column- and web-buckling loads, beam and panel stresses, and beam-corner stresses. Programs written in FORTRAN IV and Assembler for batch execution.

Gallear, D. C.↗