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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 469 records · Page 26

Progressive delamination in polymer matrix composite laminates: A new approach

A new approach independent of stress intensity factors and fracture toughness parameters has been developed and is described for the computational simulation of progressive delamination in polymer matrix composite laminates. The damage stages are quantified based on physics via composite mechanics while the degradation of the laminate behavior is quantified via the finite element method. The approach accounts for all types of composite behavior, laminate configuration, load conditions, and delamination processes starting from damage initiation, to unstable propagation, and to laminate fracture. Results of laminate fracture in composite beams, panels, plates, and shells are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and versatility of this new approach.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Magnetic bearings: Fifty years of progress

Magnetic bearings are just beginning to be flown in spacecraft systems, but their development spans more than 50 years. The promise of completely noncontacting, unlubricated rotating systems operating at speeds substantially beyond the range of conventional bearings, and with no wear and virtually no vibration, has provided the incentive to develop magnetic bearing technology for many diverse applications. Earnshaw theorized in 1842 that stable magnetic suspension is not possible in all three spatial directions unless the magnetic field is actively controlled. Since that time, researchers have attempted to successfully support spinning rotors in a stable manner. Development of magnetic suspension systems over the past fifty years has included progress on both passive (permanent magnet) and active (electromagnet) systems. The improvements in bearing load capacity, stiffness, and damping characteristics are traced. The trends in rotor size, rotational kinetic energy, and improvements in active control systems capabilities are also reviewed. Implications of superconductivity on suspension system design and performance are discussed.

Swann, Michael K.↗

Progressive failure methodologies for predicting residual strength and life of laminated composites

Two progressive failure methodologies currently under development by the Mechanics of Materials Branch at NASA Langley Research Center are discussed. The damage tolerance/fail safety methodology developed by O'Brien is an engineering approach to ensuring adequate durability and damage tolerance by treating only delamination onset and the subsequent delamination accumulation through the laminate thickness. The continuum damage model developed by Allen and Harris employs continuum damage laws to predict laminate strength and life. The philosophy, mechanics framework, and current implementation status of each methodology are presented.

Harris, Charles E.↗

Progress in high-lift aerodynamic calculations

The current work presents progress in the effort to numerically simulate the flow over high-lift aerodynamic components, namely, multi-element airfoils and wings in either a take-off or a landing configuration. The computational approach utilizes an incompressible flow solver and an overlaid chimera grid approach. A detailed grid resolution study is presented for flow over a three-element airfoil. Two turbulence models, a one-equation Baldwin-Barth model and a two equation k-omega model are compared. Excellent agreement with experiment is obtained for the lift coefficient at all angles of attack, including the prediction of maximum lift when using the two-equation model. Results for two other flap riggings are shown. Three-dimensional results are presented for a wing with a square wing-tip as a validation case. Grid generation and topology is discussed for computing the flow over a T-39 Sabreliner wing with flap deployed and the initial calculations for this geometry are presented.

Rogers, Stuart E.↗

Mixed application MMIC technologies - Progress in combining RF, digital and photonic circuits

Approaches for future 'mixed application' monolithic integrated circuits (ICs) employing optical receive/transmit, RF amplification and modulation and digital control functions are discussed. We focus on compatibility of the photonic component fabrication with conventional RF and digital IC technologies. Recent progress at Honeywell in integrating several parts of the desired RF/digital/photonic circuit integration suite required for construction of a future millimeter-wave optically-controlled phased-array element are illustrated.

Swirhun, S.↗

Spacecraft charging - Progress in the study of dielectrics and plasmas

The progress in spacecraft charging is reviewed with particular attention given to the interactions of plasma and penetrating radiation with dielectrics. Topics discussed include the charging environments, elementary charging theory, the anomalies attributed to charging or discharging phenomena, and spacecraft engineering.

Robinson, P. A., Jr.↗

Asteroid spectroscopy - Progress and perspectives

A broad understanding of meteorite and asteroidal studies is needed for the most dynamic progress of both disciplines, in their common goal of understanding the origin and early evolution of the solar system. Asteroid compositional investigations are currently shifting from the survey mode to focused investigations of selected targets, in pursuit of specific problems. Attention is presently given the compositional nature and diversity of asteroid taxonomic classes, as addressed by the Small Main-Belt Asteroid Spectroscopic Survey.

Gaffey, Michael J.↗

Progress on ten-meter optical receiver telescope

A ten-meter hexagonally segmented Cassegrain optical telescope is being considered at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for use as a research and development facility for optical communications technology. The goal of the study is to demonstrate technology which can eventually be used to develop a network of such telescopes to continuously track and communicate with the spacecraft. Hence, the technology has to be economical enough to allow replication for a ground or space based network. As we need to collect signal photons only, the telescope cost can be substantially reduced by accepting lower image quality. An important design consideration for the telescope is its ability to look very close to the sun. The telescope for optical communications must function during the daytime. Indeed, for some planetary missions it may be necessary that the system be capable of looking within a few degrees of the sun. To enable this, a unique sunshade consisting of hexagonal tubes in precise alignment with the mirror segments has been proposed which will also serve as the support for the secondary. Recent progress on the design and analysis of such an optical reception station is discussed here.

Shaik, Kamran↗

Three-dimensional finite element progressive failure analysis of composite laminates under axial extension

A three-dimensional (3D) progressive failure algorithm is developed, where the layerwise laminate theory (LWLT) of Reddy is used for kinematic description. The finite element model based on the layerwise theory predicts both inplane and interlaminar stresses with the same accuracy as that of a conventional 3D finite element model and provides a convenient format for modeling the 3D stress fields in composite laminates. A parametric study is conducted to investigate the effect of out-of-plane material properties, 3D stiffness reduction methods, and boundary conditions on the failure loads and strains of a composite laminate under axial extension. The results indicate that different parameters have a different degree of influence on the failure loads and strains. The predictive ability of various phenomenological failure criteria is evaluated in the light of experimental results available in the literature, and the predictions of the LWLT are compared with those of the first-order shear deformation theory. It is concluded that a 3D stress analysis is necessary to predict accurately the failure behavior of composite laminates.

Reddy, Yeruva S.↗

A mechanics framework for a progressive failure methodology for laminated composites

A laminate strength and life prediction methodology has been postulated for laminated composites which accounts for the progressive development of microstructural damage to structural failure. A damage dependent constitutive model predicts the stress redistribution in an average sense that accompanies damage development in laminates. Each mode of microstructural damage is represented by a second-order tensor valued internal state variable which is a strain like quantity. The mechanics framework together with the global-local strategy for predicting laminate strength and life is presented in the paper. The kinematic effects of damage are represented by effective engineering moduli in the global analysis and the results of the global analysis provide the boundary conditions for the local ply level stress analysis. Damage evolution laws are based on experimental results.

Harris, Charles E.↗

Design for progressive fracture in composite shell structures

The load carrying capability and structural behavior of composite shell structures and stiffened curved panels are investigated to provide accurate early design loads. An integrated computer code is utilized for the computational simulation of composite structural degradation under practical loading for realistic design. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to structural fracture are included in the simulation. Progressive fracture investigations providing design insight for several classes of composite shells are presented. Results demonstrate the significance of local defects, interfacial regions, and stress concentrations on the structural durability of composite shells.

Minnetyan, Levon↗

Design of Turbomachinery Blading in Three-Dimensional Flow By the Circulation Method: A Progress Report

In this paper, we report on the progress of the further development and application of an analytical theory for the design of turbomachinery blading in three-dimensional flow. After a section describing the recent development of the theory, we discuss the various applications including the investigations of the design of radial inflow turbines. Numerical examples are also presented to illustrate the application of the theory to the design of a free vortex fan, an axial turbine rotor, a free vortex compressor stage for low and high Mach numbers, a non-free vortex fan with trailing vortex sheets, and a counter-rotating propeller in the limit of a large number of blades. Further possible applications of the theory to the design of other aero- and hydrodynamic devices are discussed.

W R Hawthorne↗

Research-Airplane-Committee Report on Conference on the Progress of the X-15 Project : A Compilation of the Papers Presented

This document is a compilation of papers presented at the Conference on the Progress of the X-15 project held at the IAS Building, Los Angeles, California, July 28-30, 1958. The conference was held by the Research Airplane Committee of the U. S. Air Force, the U. S. Navy, and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics to report on the technical status of this airplane.

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Research-Airplane-Committee Report on Conference on the Progress of the X-15 Project: A Compilation of the Papers Presented, Held at Langley Aeronautical Lab., Langley Field, VA on 25-26 October 1956

This document is a compilation of papers presented at the Conference on the Progress of the X-15 project held at the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory on 25-26 October 1956. The conference was held by the Research Airplane Committee of the U. S. Air Force, the U. S. Navy, and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics to report on the technical status of this research airplane. The papers were presented by members of the staffs of North American Aviation, Inc., Reaction Motors, Inc., and NACA.

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Investigation of certain wing shapes with sections varying progressively along the span

This investigation has a double object: 1) the calculation of the general characteristics of certain wings with progressively varying sections; 2) the determination of data furnishing, in certain cases, some information on the actual distribution of the external forces acting on a wing. We shall try to show certain advantages belonging to the few wing types of variable section which we shall study and that, even if the general aerodynamic coefficients of these wings are not often clearly superior to those of certain wings of uniform section, the wings of variable section nevertheless have certain advantages over those of uniform section in the distribution of the attainable stresses.

Arsandaux, L↗

Progress in multidisciplinary design optimization at NASA Langley

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization refers to some combination of disciplinary analyses, sensitivity analysis, and optimization techniques used to design complex engineering systems. The ultimate objective of this research at NASA Langley Research Center is to help the US industry reduce the costs associated with development, manufacturing, and maintenance of aerospace vehicles while improving system performance. This report reviews progress towards this objective and highlights topics for future research. Aerospace design problems selected from the author's research illustrate strengths and weaknesses in existing multidisciplinary optimization techniques. The techniques discussed include multiobjective optimization, global sensitivity equations and sequential linear programming.

Padula, Sharon L.↗

Progress in modeling hypersonic turbulent boundary layers

A good knowledge of the turbulence structure, wall heat transfer, and friction in turbulent boundary layers (TBL) at high speeds is required for the design of hypersonic air breathing airplanes and reentry space vehicles. This work reports on recent progress in the modeling of high speed TBL flows. The specific research goal described here is the development of a second order closure model for zero pressure gradient TBL's for the range of Mach numbers up to hypersonic speeds with arbitrary wall cooling requirements.

Zeman, Otto↗

Progress In Electromagnetics Research Symposium (PIERS)

The third Progress In Electromagnetics Research Symposium (PIERS) was held 12-16 Jul. 1993, at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California. More than 800 presentations were made, and those abstracts are included in this publication.

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