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At least 523 records · Page 29

Interply layer degradation effects on composite structural response

Recent research activities at NASA Lewis Research Center to computationally evaluate the effects of interply layer progressive weakening (degradation) on the structural response of a composite beam are summarized. The structural responses of interest include: (1) bending, (2) buckling, (3) free vibrations, (4) periodic excitation, and (5) impact. Finite element analysis was used for the computational evaluations. The interply layer degradation effects on the various structural responses were determined and assessed as a function of the interply layer modulus varying from 1 million psi down to 1000 psi and even lower for some limiting cases. The results obtained show that the interply layer degradation has generally negligible effects on composite structural response and, therefore, structural integrity, unless the interply layer modulus degrades to about 10,000 psi or less.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Acoustic excitation: A promising new means of controlling shear layers

Techniques have long been sought for the controlled modification of turbulent shear layers, such as in jets, wakes, boundary layers, and separated flows. Relatively recently published results of laboratory experiments have established that coherent structures exist within turbulent flows. These results indicate that even apparently chaotic flow fields can contain deterministic, nonrandom elements. Even more recently published results show that deliberate acoustic excitation of these coherent structures has a significant effect on the mixing characteristics of shear layers. Therefore, we have initiated a research effort to develop both an understanding of the interaction mechanisms and the ability to use it to favorably modify various shear layers. Acoustic excitation circumvents the need for pumping significant flow rates, as required by suction or blowing. Control of flows by intentional excitation of natural flow instabilities involves new and largely unexplored phenomena and offers considerable potential for improving component performance. Nonintrusive techniques for flow field control may permit much more efficient, flexible propulsion systems and aircraft designs, including means of stall avoidance and recovery. The techniques developed may also find application in many other areas where mixing is important, such as reactors, continuous lasers, rocket engines, and fluidic devices. It is the objective of this paper to examine some potential applications of the acoustic excitation technique to various shear layer flows of practical aerospace systems.

Stone, J. R.↗

Opening of an interface flaw in a layered elastic half-plane under compressive loading

A static analysis is given of the problem of an elastic layer perfectly bonded, except for a frictionless interface crack, to a dissimilar elastic half-plane. The free surface of the layer is loaded by a finite pressure distribution directly over the crack. The problem is formulated using the two dimensional linear elasticity equations. Using Fourier transforms, the governing equations are converted to a pair of coupled singular integral equations. The integral equations are reduced to a set of simultaneous algebraic equations by expanding the unknown functions in a series of Jacobi polynomials and then evaluating the singular Cauchy-type integrals. The resulting equations are found to be ill-conditioned and, consequently, are solved in the least-squares sense. Results from the analysis show that, under a normal pressure distribution on the free surface of the layer and depending on the combination of geometric and material parameters, the ends of the crack can open. The resulting stresses at the crack-tips are singular, implying that crack growth is possible. The extent of the opening and the crack-top stress intensity factors depend on the width of the pressure distribution zone, the layer thickness, and the relative material properties of the layer and half-plane.

Kennedy, J. M.↗

Natural instability of free shear layers

Under controlled small-amplitude excitation, an initially laminar free shear layer experiences maximum growth rate at a Strouhal number St(theta) of 0.017 (consistent with theory) and maximum growth at St(theta) = 0.011, while the natural instability frequency St(theta-n) (of an unexcited shear layer) is found to have an intermediate value. Investigations in both axisymmetric and plane shear layers in a number of independent facilities reveal that the St(theta-n) value falls in the range 0.0125-0.0155, depending on the exit boundary-layer fluctuation level and the spanwise radius of curvature. The St(theta-n) value decreases with increasing jet diameter or exit boundary-layer fluctuation level, but is not a direct function of the exit momentum thickness Reynolds number. For a given facility, the instability details are found to be independent of whether the entrainment at the lip is parallel to the stream or orthogonal (due to the addition of an end plate). The steamwise evolutions of the amplitudes at the fundamental frequency and its harmonics and subharmonics are unique functions of the downstream distance nondimensionalized by the exit momentum thickness, but their details remain functions of the flow geometry (i.e., axisymmetric or plane).

Husain, Z. D.↗

Combustion in a turbulent mixing layer formed at a rearward-facing step

A premixed propane/air flame was stabilized in a turbulent mixing layer formed at a rearward-facing step. The mean and rms averages of the turbulent velocity flowfield were determined by laser velocimetry for both reacting (phi = 0.57) and nonreacting flows (Re = 15,000-37,000 based on step height). The reacting-flow was visualized by high-speed schlieren photography. Large-scale structures dominate the reacting mixing layer. The growth of the large-scale structures was tied to the propagation of the flame. The linear growth rate of the reacting mixing layer defined by the mean velocity profiles was unchanged by combustion but the virtual origin moves downstream. The reacting mixing layer boundaries based on the mean velocity profiles were shifted toward the recirculation zone and reattachment lengths were shortened by 30 percent. The edge of the flame controlled by the large-scale structure development propagated faster into the incoming reactants than the boundary of the mixing layer given by the mean velocity flowfield. Thus, the region of high velocity gradient did not coincide with the region of high reaction and heat transfer.

Pitz, R. W.↗

Factors influencing the marine boundary layer during a cold-air outbreak

The model for the cloud-topped marine boundary layer during a cold air outbreak developed by Stage and Businger (1981a) is used in conjunction with a test profile based on a fall outbreak episode over Lake Ontario to study factors influencing marine boundary-layer evolution. Sensitivity tests are done which show changes in layer evolution resulting from variation of wind speed, radiative sky temperature, water surface temperature, humidity of the shoreline sounding and divergence. The behavior of the layer in the presence of a region of cold-water upwelling near the shore is also investigated. It is found that the main effect of the upwelling region is to delay modification of the boundary-layer air.

Stage, S. A.↗

Two- and three-layer models of Uranus

Simple two-layer models of Uranus with rocky core and polytropic envelope satisfying exactly the observed mass, radius and the gravitational moments are presented. The models show that the value of the fourth order zonal harmonic is less than about -38 x 10 to the -6th, while J(6) is roughly 10 to the -6th. More elaborate three-layer models fail to satisfy the observational constraints of the ice/rock ratio and/or of the rotation period. It is concluded that three-layer models with uniform chemical composition in each layer may be too restrictive. More realistic models should account for variable chemical composition within each layer.

Horedt, G. P.↗

High Curie temperature drive layer materials for ion-implanted magnetic bubble devices

Ion implantation of bubble garnets can lower the Curie temperature by 70 C or more, thus limiting high temperature operation of devices with ion-implanted propagation patterns. Therefore, double-layer materials were made with a conventional 2-micron bubble storage layer capped by an ion-implantable drive layer of high Curie temperature, high magnetostriction material. Contiguous disk test patterns were implanted with varying doses of a typical triple implant. Quality of propagation was judged by quasistatic tests on 8-micron period major and minor loops. Variations of magnetization, uniaxial anisotropy, implant dose, and magnetostriction were investigated to ensure optimum flux matching, good charged wall coupling, and wide operating margins. The most successful drive layer compositions were in the systems (SmDyLuCa)3(FeSi)5O12 and (BiGdTmCa)3(FeSi)5O12 and had Curie temperatures 25-44 C higher than the storage layers.

Fratello, V. J.↗

Analysis of separated boundary-layer flows

A method for predicting the strong interaction between the viscous and inviscid flows which occurs in flow separation is reviewed. An inverse boundary-layer procedure approximately accounts for normal pressure gradients that may be important in strongly interacting flows. Transformed boundary-layer equations are written in which the pressure gradient is set equal to the inviscid pressure gradient. As the boundary-layer edge is approached and the viscous shear and heat conduction terms vanish, the viscous flow solution is required to asymptotically approach the inviscid solution over the generalized displacement body. Attention is then focused on viscous-inviscid interacting flows with a first-order viscous formulation and constant pressure across the boundary layer. Results obtained with this procedure are presented for: (1) transitional separation bubbles near an airfoil leading edge, (2) subsonic boattail separated turbulent flow, and (3) transonic turbulent shock wave boundary-layer interaction on an axisymmetric bump configuration.

Carter, J. E.↗

Numerical study of terrain-induced mesoscale motions and hydrostatic form drag in a heated, growing mixed layer

Han et al. (1982) have found in a previous numerical study of terrain-induced mesoscale motions that the orography caused a steady-state flow pattern to occur. The study was concerned with a simplified case in which no surface heating occurred. The present investigation considers an extension of this study to the more realistic case of a heated, growing daytime mixed layer containing horizontal variations of potential temperature as well as velocity. The model is also extended to include three layers above the mixed layer. It is found for a heated, growing mixed layer, that the mesoscale form drag is a thermal-anomaly or buoyancy effect associated with horizontal variations of potential temperature within the layer.

Deardorff, J. W.↗

Inlet boundary layer effects in an axial compressor rotor. I - Blade-to-blade effects

This paper discusses experimental data measured on the blading and downstream of an isolated compressor rotor with thick inlet endwall boundary layers. The objective of the study was to compare these results with data acquired previously with thin inlet boundary layers and to assess the impact of inlet boundary layer thickness on the secondary flow. Flow visualization results showed the powerful impact of the hub corner stall and how at the same near stall flow coefficient where with thin inlet boundary layers the blade was separated at midspan, with thick inlet boundary layers it was attached. It was also shown that while secondary flow was very weak, it did produce sufficient radial redistribution to cause an apparent negative loss at the blade root.

Wagner, J. H.↗

An experimental study of the compressor rotor blade boundary layer

The three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer developing on a rotor blade of an axial flow compressor was measured using a miniature 'x' configuration hot-wire probe. The measurements were carried out at nine radial locations on both surfaces of the blade at various chordwise locations. The data derived includes streamwise and radial mean velocities and turbulence intensities. The validity of conventional velocity profiles such as the 'power law profile' for the streamwise profile, and Mager and Eichelbrenner's for the radial profile, is examined. A modification to Mager's crossflow profile is proposed. Away from the blade tip, the streamwise component of the blade boundary layer seems to be mainly influenced by the streamwise pressure gradient. Near the tip of the blade, the behavior of the blade boundary layer is affected by the tip leakage flow and the annulus wall boundary layer. The 'tangential blockage' due to the blade boundary layer is derived from the data. The profile losses are found to be less than that of an equivalent cascade, except in the tip region of the blade.

Pouagare, M.↗

Effect of boundary layers on solid walls in three-dimensional subsonic wind tunnels

A solution for the tunnel wall boundary layer effects for three-dimensional subsonic tunnels is presented. The model potentials are represented with simple singularities placed on the centerline of the tunnel and Laplace's equation in cylindrical coordinates is solved for either the conventional homogeneous slotted-wall boundary condition, the solid-wall viscous boundary condition, or a combination of them. The most pronounced wall boundary layer effect is on solid blockage for completely closed wind tunnels. Boundary layers on the wall reduce the blockage from the solid-wall, no-boundary-layer case in a manner similar to opening slots in a solid wall. Additionally, for solid-wall tunnel configurations, the streamline curvature interference factor is reduced by a significant amount, whereas the lift interference factor at the model station does not depend on the boundary layer parameter. For combination wall configurations, the slot effect of the horizontal walls dominates the viscous effect of the solid sidewalls.

Adcock, J. B.↗

Transient response of a turbulent boundary layer

A unique feature of the present ensemble-averaged measurements of a turbulent boundary layer's transient response to a spontaneous change in the free stream velocity distribution, is that the test boundary layer is a standard, steady, flat plate turbulent boundary layer at the entrance to the unsteady region, and is then subjected to sudden changes in free stream velocity distribution in the test section. These water tunnel tests were controlled by minicomputer. It is noted that the boundary layer development was relatively slow, with a characteristic time that was greater than the free stream time-of-flight by a factor of as much as 3. Response varied dramatically across the boundary layer, and the evolution of the turbulent stress field occurred on the same time scale as that of the ensemble-averaged velocity field.

Parikh, P. G.↗

Interply layer degradation effects on composite structural response

Recent research activities at NASA Lewis Research Center to computationally evaluate the effects of interply layer progressive weakening (degradation) on the structural response of a composite beam are summarized. The structural responses of interest include: (1) bending, (2) buckling, (3) free vibrations, (4) periodic excitation, and (5) impact. Finite element analysis was used for the computational evaluations. The interply layer degradation effects on the various structural responses were determined and assessed as a function of the interply layer modulus varying from 1 million psi down to 1000 psi and even lower for some limiting cases. The results obtained show that the interply layer degradation has generally negligible effectss on composite structural response and, therefore, structural integrity, unless the interply layer modulus degrades to about 10,000 psi or less.

Chamis, C. C.↗

A review of turbulent-boundary-layer heat transfer research at Stanford, 1958-1983

For the past 25 years, there has existed in the Thermosciences Laboratory of the Mechanical Engineering Department of Stanford University a research program, primarily experimental, concerned with heat transfer through turbulent boundary layers. In the early phases of the program, the topics considered were the simple zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer with constant and with varying surface temperature, and the accelerated boundary layer. Later equilibrium boundary layers were considered along with factors affecting the boundary layer, taking into account transpired flows, flows with axial pressure gradients, transpiration, acceleration, deceleration, roughness, full-coverage film cooling, surface curvature, free convection, and mixed convection. A description is provided of the apparatus and techniques used, giving attention to the smooth plate rig, the rough plate rig, the full-coverage film cooling rig, the curvature rig, the concave wall rig, the mixed convection tunnel, and aspects of data reduction and uncertainty analysis.

Moffat, R. J.↗

Mixing layer control for tangential slot injection in turbulent flows

Tangential injection into turbulent flows is one of the most promising methods of minimizing skin friction and providing thermal protection. The technique also has application to laser hardening. The effectiveness of the injected material can be increased if the spreading rate of the resulting mixing region can be reduced. Various techniques which have been shown to be effective in manipulating the rate of growth of mixing layers under certain conditions have been applied to a slot configuration having a thick external turbulent boundary layer. These include geometry modifications to the slot lip trailing edge and acoustic excitation of the slot exit plane over a wide range of frequencies. Neither of these approaches produced any noticeable effect on the downstream evolution of the mixing layer. This lack of effectiveness is attributed to the dominating influence of the well-developed incoming turbulent boundary layer. The placement of large-eddy breakup devices in this boundary layer upstream of the injection point did produce significantly lower velocities in the near-wall region of the flow downstream of the slot exit.

Mcinville, R. M.↗

Lifetimes in Si CVD-epitaxial and other layers determined by spectral LBIC

In an effort to evaluate the minority carrier lifetimes in CVD-epitaxially grown layers in their dependence on the CVD process variables, the absolute spectral LBIC method was found to be the only available method capable of yielding both lifetime and surface recombination velocity in layers, independent of the resistivity of this layer or that of the substrate, as long as they are separated by a pn-junction. With this method, it was not only possible to determine the minority carrier lifetimes in as-grown epi-layers, but to observe their changes through the device fabrication processes. In addition, it was possible for the first time to determine the lifetimes in the alloy-regrowth p(+) layers of base high/low junction structures.

Wolf, M.↗