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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 55 records · Page 3

Nonlinear random response prediction using MSC/NASTRAN

An equivalent linearization technique was incorporated into MSC/NASTRAN to predict the nonlinear random response of structures by means of Direct Matrix Abstract Programming (DMAP) modifications and inclusion of the nonlinear differential stiffness module inside the iteration loop. An iterative process was used to determine the rms displacements. Numerical results obtained for validation on simple plates and beams are in good agreement with existing solutions in both the linear and linearized regions. The versatility of the implementation will enable the analyst to determine the nonlinear random responses for complex structures under combined loads. The thermo-acoustic response of a hexagonal thermal protection system panel is used to highlight some of the features of the program.

Robinson, J. H.↗

A model predicting the evolution of ice particle size spectra and radiative properties of cirrus clouds. Part 2: Dependence of absorption and extinction on ice crystal morphology

This study builds upon the microphysical modeling described in Part 1 by deriving formulations for the extinction and absorption coefficients in terms of the size distribution parameters predicted from the micro-physical model. The optical depth and single scatter albedo of a cirrus cloud can then be determined, which, along with the asymmetry parameter, are the input parameters needed by cloud radiation models. Through the use of anomalous diffraction theory, analytical expressions were developed describing the absorption and extinction coefficients and the single scatter albedo as functions of size distribution parameters, ice crystal shapes (or habits), wavelength, and refractive index. The extinction coefficient was formulated in terms of the projected area of the size distribution, while the absorption coefficient was formulated in terms of both the projected area and mass of the size distribution. These properties were formulated as explicit functions of ice crystal geometry and were not based on an 'effective radius.' Based on simulations of the second cirrus case study described in Part 1, absorption coefficients predicted in the near infrared for hexagonal columns and rosettes were up to 47% and 71% lower, respectively, than absorption coefficients predicted by using equivalent area spheres. This resulted in single scatter albedos in the near-infrared that were considerably greater than those predicted by the equivalent area sphere method. Reflectances in this region should therefore be underestimated using the equivalent area sphere approach. Cloud optical depth was found to depend on ice crystal habit. When the simulated cirrus cloud contained only bullet rosettes, the optical depth was 142% greater than when the cloud contained only hexagonal columns. This increase produced a doubling in cloud albedo. In the near-infrared (IR), the single scatter albedo also exhibited a significant dependence on ice crystal habit. More research is needed on the geometrical properties of ice crystals before the influence of ice crystal shape on cirrus radiative properties can be adequately understood. This study provides a way of coupling the radiative properties of absorption, extinction, and single scatter albedo to the microphysical properties of cirrus clouds. The dependence of extinction and absorption on ice crystal shape was not just due to geometrical differences between crystal types, but was also due to the effect these differences had on the evolution of ice particle size spectra. The ice particle growth model in Part 1 and the radiative properties treated here are based on analytical formulations, and thus represent a computationally efficient means of modeling the microphysical and radiative properties of cirrus clouds.

Mitchell, David L.↗

Comparison of Side-on Peak Overpressure Predictions and Measurements for Type IV Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel Catastrophic Failure

This development of empirical data to support realistic and science-based input to safety regulations and transportation standards is a critical need for the hazardous material (HM) transportation industry. Current regulations and standards are based on the TNT equivalency model. However, real world experience indicates that use of the TNT equivalency model to predict composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) potential energy release is unrealistically conservative. The purpose of this report is to characterize and quantify rupture events involving damaged COPV’s of the type used in HM transportation regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). This was accomplished using a series of five tests; 2 COPV tests for compressed natural gas (CNG), 2 COPV tests for hydrogen, and 1 COPV test for nitrogen. Measured overpressures from these tests were compared to predicted overpressures from a TNT equivalence model and blast curves. Comparison between the measurements and predictions shows that the predictions are generally conservative, and that the extent of conservatism is dominated by predictions of the chemical contribution to overpressure from fuel within the COPVs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Pyrotechnic hazards classification and evaluation program. Electrostatic vulnerability of the E8 and XM15/XM165 clusters, phase 2

An investigation into the electrostatic phenomena associated with the manufacturing and handling of explosives is discussed. The testing includes measurement of the severity of the primary charge generation mechanism, triboelectric effects between dissimilar surfaces; refinement of equivalent circuits of the XM15/XM165 and E8 fuse trains; evaluation of the electrostatic spark discharge characteristics predicted by an equivalent circuit analysis; and determination of the spark ignition sensitivity of materials, components, junctions, and subassemblies which compose the XM15/XM165 and E8 units. Special studies were also performed. These special tests included ignition sensitivity of the complete XM15 fuse train when subjected to discharges through its entire length, measurement of electrostatic potentials which occur during the E8 foaming operation during fabrication, and investigation of the inadvertent functioning of an XM15 cluster during manufacturing. The test results are discussed and related to the effectiveness of suggested modification to reduce the electrostatic ignition sensitivity.

Source record↗

Fatigue response of perforated titanium for application in laminar flow control

The room temperature tensile and fatigue response of non-perforated and perforated titanium for laminar flow control application was investigated both experimentally and analytically. Results showed that multiple perforations did not affect the tensile response, but did reduce the fatigue life. A two dimensional finite element stress analysis was used to determine that the stress fields from adjacent perforations did not influence one another. The stress fields around the holes did not overlap one another, allowing the materials to be modeled as a plate with a center hole. Fatigue life was predicted using an equivalent MW flow size approach to relate the experimental results to microstructural features of the titanium. Predictions using flaw sizes ranging from 1 to 15 microns correlated within a factor of 2 with the experimental results by using a flow stress of 260 MPa. By using two different flow stresses in the crack closure model and correcting for plasticity, the experimental results were bounded by the predictions for high applied stresses. Further analysis of the complex geometry of the perforations and the local material chemistry is needed to further understand the fatigue behavior of the perforated titanium.

Johnson, W. Steven↗

Equivalent linearization for fatigue life estimates of a nonlinear structure

An analysis is presented of the suitability of the method of equivalent linearization for estimating the fatigue life of a nonlinear structure. Comparisons are made of the fatigue life of a nonlinear plate as predicted using conventional equivalent linearization and three other more accurate methods. The excitation of the plate is assumed to be Gaussian white noise and the plate response is modeled using a single resonant mode. The methods used for comparison consist of numerical simulation, a probabalistic formulation, and a modification of equivalent linearization which avoids the usual assumption that the response process is Gaussian. Remarkably close agreement is obtained between all four methods, even for cases where the response is significantly linear.

Miles, R. N.↗

Equivalent linearization for fatigue life estimates of a nonlinear structure

An analysis is presented of the suitability of the method of equivalent linearization for estimating the fatigue life of a nonlinear structure. Comparisons are made of the fatigue life of a nonlinear plate as predicted using conventional equivalent linearization and three other more accurate methods. The excitation of the plate is assumed to be Gaussian white noise and the plate response is modeled using a single resonant mode. The methods used for comparison consist of numerical simulation, a probabilistic formulation, and a modification of equivalent linearization which avoids the usual assumption that the response process is Gaussian. Remarkably close agreement is obtained between all four methods, even for cases where the response is significantly linear.

Miles, R. N.↗

An equivalent potential vorticity theory applied to the analysis and prediction of severe storm dynamics

Potential vorticity theory is developed in a description of an equivalent potential temperature topography, and a new theory suited to the description of scale interaction is elaborated. Macroscale triggering of ageostrophic flow fields at the mesoscale, in turn leading to release of convective instability along narrow zones at the microscale, is examined. Correlation of appreciable decrease in potential vorticity with such phenomena as cumulonimbi, tornados, and duststorms is examined. The relevance of a multiscale energy-momentum cascade in numerical prediction of severe mesoscale and microscale phenomena from radiosonde data is reviewed. Hypotheses for mesoscale dynamics are constructed.

Paine, D. A.↗

Measurement of the gravitational redshift using a clock in an orbiting satellite

A hydrogen maser clock is proposed for enclosure in an orbiting satellite to measure the gravitational effect on time scales with high accuracy. This experiment is used to test the principle of equivalence for clocks in space. Extremely narrow linewidth of Fe-57 radiation and absorption due to Mossbauer effect over 75 ft vertical distance was used to confirm the prediction of the equivalence principle to 1 part in 100. The fractional frequency shift of a satellite-borne oscillator observed from earth is also given.

Vessot, R. F. C.↗

On the uniqueness of linear moving-average filters for the solar wind-auroral geomagnetic activity coupling

The relation between the solar wind input to the magetosphere, VB(sub South), and the auroral geomagnetic index AL is modeled with two linear moving-average filtering methods: linear prediction filters and a driven harmonic oscillator in the form of an electric circuit. Although the response of the three-parameter oscillator is simpler than the filter's, the methods yield similar linear timescales and values of the prediction-observation correlation and the prediction Chi(exp 2). Further the filter responses obtained by the two methods are similar in their long-term features. In these aspects the circuit model is equivalent to linear prediction filtering. This poses the question of uniqueness and proper interpretation of detailed features of the filters such as response peaks. Finally, the variation of timescales and filter responses with the AL activity level is discussed.

Vassiliadis, D.↗

Feeling the Strain: Quantifying Ligand Deformation in Photosynthesis

Structural distortion of protein-bound ligands can play a critical role in enzyme function by tuning the electronic and chemical properties of the ligand molecule. However, quantifying these effects is difficult due to the limited resolution of protein structures and the difficulty of generating accurate structural restrains for non-protein ligands. Here, we seek to quantify these effects through a statistical analysis of ligand distortion in Chlorophyll (Chl) proteins (CP), where ring deformation is thought to play a role in energy and electron transfer. To assess the accuracy of ring-deformation estimates from available structural data, we take advantage of the C 2 symmetry of Photosystem II (PSII), comparing ring-deformation estimates for equivalent sites both within and between 113 distinct X-ray and Cryogenic electron microscopy (CryoEM) PSII structures. Significantly, we find that several deformation modes exhibit considerable variability in predictions, even for equivalent monomers, down to 2 Å resolution, to an extent that probably prevents their utilization in optical calculations. We further find that refinement restrains play a critical role in determining deformation values to resolution as low as 2 Å. However, for those modes that are well-resolved in the structural data, ring deformation in PSII is strongly conserved across all species tested, from cyanobacteria to algae. Furthermore, these results highlight both the opportunities and limitations inherent in the structure-based analysis of the bioenergetic and optical properties of CPs and other protein-ligand complexes.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Scaling of oxygen-methane reacting coaxial jets using x-ray fluorescence to measure mixture fraction

Stoichiometric mixing length L s of reacting coaxial jet flames is a critical scaling parameter for liquid rocket engine combustors. Previous studies have shown that L s for shear coaxial flames can be scaled like their non-reacting counterparts using a non-dimensional momentum flux ratio J. In addition, stoichiometric mixing lengths of reacting and nonreacting coaxial jets collapse upon a single line by altering J using an effective outer flow gas density. This effective density is calculated from a modified version of the equivalence principle, originally developed by Tacina and Dahm [1, 2] and accounts for the effects of heat release on mixing. However, previous studies also required a second nonphysical scaling constant S c for the reacting jets, which is not predicted by the equivalence principle [3]. It was originally hypothesized that S c is attributed to the limitation of hydroxyl (OH) planar laser-induced fluorescence, which only infers L s . Direct quantitative measurement of conserved scalar fields using conventional optical diagnostics is difficult due to the lack of a tracer that easily fluoresces, survives high temperature oxygen flames, and is not dominated by quenching effects. To measure a conserved scalar field, this work implements x-ray fluorescence of Kr and Ar tracers to obtain quantitative mixture fraction fields. From these mixture fraction fields, stoichiometric mixing lengths for two CH 4 /O 2 flames are calculated and scaled against nonreacting coaxial mixing lengths using the equivalence principle. By directly measuring the stoichiometric mixing length, it is established that the additional constant is a byproduct of the OH measurement technique and the equivalence principle fully captures the scaling. Finally, comparison with high-fidelity simulation of the flame further supports this conclusion. In addition to further strengthening this scaling method, this work represents the first use of x-ray fluorescence to make quantitative conserved scalar measurements in turbulent flames.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Predicting tropical cyclone intensity using satellite measured equivalent blackbody temperatures of cloud tops

A regression technique was developed to forecast 24 hour changes of the maximum winds for weak (maximum winds less than or equal to 65 Kt) and strong (maximum winds greater than 65 Kt) tropical cyclones by utilizing satellite measured equivalent blackbody temperatures around the storm alone and together with the changes in maximum winds during the preceding 24 hours and the current maximum winds. Independent testing of these regression equations shows that the mean errors made by the equations are lower than the errors in forecasts made by the peristence techniques.

Gentry, R. C.↗

Static and Dynamic Structural Response of an Aircraft Wing with Damage Using Equivalent Plate Analysis

A process to generate an equivalent plate based on an optimization approach to predict the static and dynamic response of flight vehicle wing structures is proposed. Geometric-scale and frequency-scale factors are defined to construct an equivalent plate with any desired scale to use in simulation and wind tunnel experiments. It is shown that the stiffness and the displacements are scaled linearly with the geometric-scale factor, whereas the load is scaled as the square of the geometric-scale factor. The scaled stiffness of the reference flight vehicle is matched first to construct the equivalent plate. Then the frequency-scale factor is defined to scale the flight vehicle frequencies. The scaled flight vehicle frequencies are matched by placing arbitrary point masses along the equivalent plate geometry. Two simple stiffened-plate examples, one with damage and another without damage, were used to demonstrate the accuracy of the optimization procedure proposed. Geometric-scale factors ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 were used in the analyses. In both examples, the static and dynamic response of the reference stiffened-panel solution is matched accurately. The scaled equivalent plate predicted the first five frequencies of the stiffened panel very accurately. Finally, the proposed equivalent plate procedure was demonstrated in a more realistic typical aircraft wing structure. Two scale equivalent plate models were generated using the geometric-scale factors 1.0 and 0.2. Both equivalent plate models predicted the static response of the wing structure accurately. The equivalent plate models reproduced the first five frequencies of the wing structure accurately.

Krishnamurthy, T.↗

Predicting and Managing Risk to Bats at Commercial Wind Farms using Acoustics

Bat populations in North America face novel threats from white-nose syndrome and widespread turbine-related mortality related to the rapidly expanding wind power industry in addition to long-standing pressures from habitat loss and degradation. Bats, unlike most small mammals, are long-lived and slow to reproduce, highlighting the importance of understanding and managing anthropogenic sources of mortality. My dissertation research used acoustic bat detectors to measure bat activity at commercial wind projects, predict patterns in risk, and design strategic measures to reduce fatality rates by curtailing turbine operation during periods when bats are most active. Bats collide with wind turbines only when their rotors are spinning, and risk of turbine-related fatality is therefore a dynamic factor that can be manipulated by curtailing turbine operation when bats are active. We first measured inter-detector variation in metrics of acoustic bat activity to understand how the acoustic detection process may affect inferences related to spatial and temporal variation in bat activity. Using acoustic detectors mounted on top of wind turbines at two commercial wind farms in West Virginia, we then demonstrated that the amount of bat activity recorded when turbines were operating aligned closely with bat fatality rates on multiple scales. Accordingly, the metric of bat activity exposed to turbine operation provides a meaningful, quantitative indicator of turbine-related bat fatality risk. Further, bats responded consistently to changing wind speed and temperature at turbines in both wind farms across multiple years, enabling exposed bat activity to be predicted accurately among turbines and years. Building on these results, we simulated exposure of bats to turbine operation and energy loss for curtailment strategies recommended by state and federal agencies in the United States and Canada. By adjusting parameters such as cut-in wind speeds and temperature thresholds, we demonstrated the ability to design strategic curtailment programs that achieve equivalent or greater predicted reductions in bat activity exposure for substantially less energy-production loss. Characterizing fatality risk on a finer scale using acoustics will help regulatory agencies and the wind industry alike reduce risks of population-level impacts to vulnerable bat species while continuing to expand large-scale renewable energy generation.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Initial Simulations of Empty Room Collapse and Reconsolidation at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is a geologic repository for defense-related nuclear waste. If left undisturbed, the virtually impermeable rock salt surrounding the repository will isolate the nuclear waste from the biosphere. If humans accidentally intrude into the repository in the future, then the likelihood of a radionuclide release to the biosphere will depend significantly on the porosity and permeability of the repository itself. Room ceilings and walls at the WIPP tend to collapse over time, causing rubble piles to form on floors of empty rooms. The surrounding rock formation will gradually compact these rubble piles until they eventually become solid salt, but the length of time for a rubble pile to reach a certain porosity and permeability is unknown. This report details the first efforts to build models to predict the porosity and permeability evolution of an empty room as it closes. Conventional geomechanical numerical methods would struggle to model empty room collapse and rubble pile consolidation, so three different meshless methods, the Immersed Isogeometric Analysis Meshfree, Reproducing Kernel Particle Method (RKPM), and the Conformal Reproducing Kernel method, were assessed. First, the meshless methods and the finite element method each simulated gradual room closure, without ceiling or wall collapse. All three methods produced equivalent room closure predictions with comparable computational speed. Second, the Immersed Isogeometric Analysis Meshfree method and RKPM simulated two-dimensional empty room collapse and rubble pile consolidation. Both methods successfully simulated large viscoplastic deformations, fracture, and rubble pile rearrangement to produce qualitatively realistic results. In addition to geomechanical simulations, the flow channels in damaged salt and crushed salt were measured using micro-computed tomography, and input into a computational fluid dynamics simulation to predict the salt's permeability. Although room for improvement exists, the current simulation approaches appear promising.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Development of a ROT22 - DATAMAP interface

This report (Contract NAS2-10331- Mod 10), outlines the development and validation of an interface between the three-dimensional transonic analysis program ROT22 and the Data from Aeromechanics Test and Analytics-Management and Analysis Package (DATAMAP). After development of the interface, the validation is carried out as follows. First, the DATAMAP program is used to analyze a portion of the Tip Aerodynamics and Acoustics Test (TAAT) data. Specifically, records 2872 and 2873 are analyzed at an azimuth of 90 deg, and record 2806 is analyzed at 60 deg. Trim conditions for these flight conditions are then calculated using the Bell performance prediction program ARAM45. Equivalent shaft, pitch, and twist angles are calculated from ARAM45 results and used as input to the ROT22 program. The interface uses the ROT22 results and creates DATAMAP information files from which the surface pressure contours and sectional pressure coefficients are plotted. Twist angles input to ROT22 program are then iteratively modified in the tip region until the computed pressure coefficients closely match the measurements. In all cases studied, the location of the shock is well predicted. However, the negative pressure coefficients were underpredicted. This could be accounted for by blade vortex interaction effects.

Shenoy, K. R.↗