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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

Structural Dynamics Experimental Activities in Ultra-Lightweight and Inflatable Space Structures

This paper reports recently completed structural dynamics experimental activities with new ultra-lightweight and inflatable space structures (a.k.a., "Gossamer" spacecraft) at NASA Langley Research Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Nine aspects of this work are covered: 1) inflated, rigidized tubes, 2) active control experiments, 3) photogrammetry, 4) laser vibrometry, 5) modal tests of inflatable structures, 6) in-vacuum modal tests, 7) tensioned membranes, 8) deployment tests, and 9) flight experiment support. Structural dynamics will play a major role in the design and eventually in-space deployment and performance of Gossamer spacecraft. Experimental research and development such as this is required to validate new analysis methods. The activities discussed in the paper are pathfinder accomplishments. conducted on unique components and prototypes of future spacecraft systems.

Pappa, Richard S.↗

Solving Component Structural Dynamic Failures Due to Extremely High Frequency Structural Response on the Space Shuttle Program

For many years, the capabilities to determine the root-cause failure of component failures have been limited to the analytical tools and the state of the art data acquisition systems. With this limited capability, many anomalies have been resolved by adding material to the design to increase robustness without the ability to determine if the design solution was satisfactory until after a series of expensive test programs were complete. The risk of failure and multiple design, test, and redesign cycles were high. During the Space Shuttle Program, many crack investigations in high energy density turbomachines, like the SSME turbopumps and high energy flows in the main propulsion system, have led to the discovery of numerous root-cause failures and anomalies due to the coexistences of acoustic forcing functions, structural natural modes, and a high energy excitation, such as an edge tone or shedding flow, leading the technical community to understand many of the primary contributors to extremely high frequency high cycle fatique fluid-structure interaction anomalies. These contributors have been identified using advanced analysis tools and verified using component and system tests during component ground tests, systems tests, and flight. The structural dynamics and fluid dynamics communities have developed a special sensitivity to the fluid-structure interaction problems and have been able to adjust and solve these problems in a time effective manner to meet budget and schedule deadlines of operational vehicle programs, such as the Space Shuttle Program over the years.

Frady, Greg↗

Application of design sensitivity analysis for greater improvement on machine structural dynamics

Methodologies are presented for greatly improving machine structural dynamics by using design sensitivity analyses and evaluative parameters. First, design sensitivity coefficients and evaluative parameters of structural dynamics are described. Next, the relations between the design sensitivity coefficients and the evaluative parameters are clarified. Then, design improvement procedures of structural dynamics are proposed for the following three cases: (1) addition of elastic structural members, (2) addition of mass elements, and (3) substantial charges of joint design variables. Cases (1) and (2) correspond to the changes of the initial framework or configuration, and (3) corresponds to the alteration of poor initial design variables. Finally, numerical examples are given for demonstrating the availability of the methods proposed.

Yoshimura, Masataka↗

Experimental research on structural dynamics and control

This report describes an apparatus at the NASA Langley Research Center for conducting research on dynamics and control of structural dynamics systems. The apparatus consists of a 3.66 m (12 ft.) long flexible beam to which are attached four electromagnetic actuators, nine noncontacting sensors to measure deflection of beam at various locations, and four strain gage type load cells one at each actuator attachment point. The important feature of the apparatus is that the actuators can be controlled and deflection and load sensor data can be processed in real time using the research centers CDC Cyber 175 computer system - thereby allowing research to be conducted on structural dynamics systems using advanced control laws. The facility is described in the report along with a detailed discussion of the actuators used.

Montgomery, R. C.↗

Space Station - A focus for the development of structural dynamics scale model technology for large flexible space structures

The paper discusses the scale model technology being developed at the NASA Langley Research Center in support of the development of structural dynamic prediction methods for large flexible space structures. Space Station is used as a focus. The Dynamic Scale Model Technology (DSMT) Program is described; results of the effect of scaling Space Station components are presented; and supporting scale model technology development activities are described and results presented. The conceptual design of a hybrid-scale Pathfinder model for developing test techniques and suspension methods is also discussed, and a summary of the broad application of the scale model technology being developed is presented.

Letchworth, Robert↗

NASA Handbook for Spacecraft Structural Dynamics Testing

Recent advances in the area of structural dynamics and vibrations, in both methodology and capability, have the potential to make spacecraft system testing more effective from technical, cost, schedule, and hardware safety points of view. However, application of these advanced test methods varies widely among the NASA Centers and their contractors. Identification and refinement of the best of these test methodologies and implementation approaches has been an objective of efforts by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory on behalf of the NASA Office of the Chief Engineer. But to develop the most appropriate overall test program for a flight project from the selection of advanced methodologies, as well as conventional test methods, spacecraft project managers and their technical staffs will need overall guidance and technical rationale. Thus, the Chief Engineer's Office has recently tasked JPL to prepare a NASA Handbook for Spacecraft Structural Dynamics Testing. An outline of the proposed handbook, with a synopsis of each section, has been developed and is presented herein. Comments on the proposed handbook are solicited from the spacecraft structural dynamics testing community.

Kern, Dennis L.↗

Concurrent and vectorized mixed time, explicit nonlinear structural dynamics algorithms

A nonlinear structural dynamics program with an element library that exploits parallel processing is described. The aim is to exploit scheduling-allocation so that parallel processing and vectorization can effectively be treated in a general purpose program with explicit time integration and different time steps in different parts of the mesh. The program uses an element group scheme, which, as a by-product, also provides an automatic scheme for assigning different time steps to different parts of the mesh. The program has been tested on the Alliant FX/8; it shows a fivefold improvement in speed over compiler optimization.

Belytschko, Ted↗

Preliminary shuttle structural dynamics modeling design study

The design and development of a structural dynamics model of the space shuttle are discussed. The model provides for early study of structural dynamics problems, permits evaluation of the accuracy of the structural and hydroelastic analysis methods used on test vehicles, and provides for efficiently evaluating potential cost savings in structural dynamic testing techniques. The discussion is developed around the modes in which major input forces and responses occur and the significant structural details in these modes.

Source record↗

Research needs in aerospace structural dynamics

The perspective of a NASA Ad Hoc Study Committee on future research needs in structural dynamics within the aerospace industry is presented. It identifies the common aspects of the design process across the industry and establishes the role of structural dynamics in it through a discussion of various design considerations having their basis in structural dynamics. The specific structural dynamics issues involved in these considerations are identified and assessed as to their current technological status and trends. Projections of future requirements based on this assessment are made and areas of research to meet them are identified.

Amos, A. K.↗

Structural dynamic and aeroelastic considerations for hypersonic vehicles

Structural dynamic and aeroelastic considerations applicable to hypersonic vehicles are discussed. Emphasis is given to aerospace plane configurations. The definition of aerothermoelasticity and the operational flight environment are reviewed, and structural dynamic and aeroelastic areas of concern are individually discussed, including vibration, landing and taxiing, propellant dynamics, acoustics, lifting surface flutter, panel flutter, control surface buzz, buffeting, gust response, and static aeroelasticity. Recent research results from all-moveable delta-wing aerolastic studies, engine inlet lip aeroelastic analysis, and studies of thermal effects on vibration frequencies, aerodynamic heating effects on flutter, and active control of aeroelastic response are reviewed.

Cazier, F. W., Jr.↗

SPS structural dynamics and control workshop: Findings and recommendations

The structural dynamics and control of the Solar Power Satellite (SPS), a concept which holds promise for meeting a portion of the energy needs of the United States beyond the year 2000 are examined. The assumptions, methodologies and conclusions of existing SPS studies in the areas of structural dynamics and control (with structural design and materials also being considered) are assessed.

Ried, R. C.↗

Sparse and Random Sampling Techniques for High-Resolution, Full-Field, BSS-Based Structural Dynamics Identification from Video

Video-based techniques for identification of structural dynamics have the advantage that they are very inexpensive to deploy compared to conventional accelerometer or strain gauge techniques. When structural dynamics from video is accomplished using full-field, high-resolution analysis techniques utilizing algorithms on the pixel time series such as principal components analysis and solutions to blind source separation the added benefit of high-resolution, full-field modal identification is achieved. An important property of video of vibrating structures is that it is particularly sparse. Typically video of vibrating structures has a dimensionality consisting of many thousands or even millions of pixels and hundreds to thousands of frames. However the motion of the vibrating structure can be described using only a few mode shapes and their associated time series. As a result, emerging techniques for sparse and random sampling such as compressive sensing should be applicable to performing modal identification on video. This work presents how full-field, high-resolution, structural dynamics identification frameworks can be coupled with compressive sampling. The techniques described in this work are demonstrated to be able to recover mode shapes from experimental video of vibrating structures when 70% to 90% of the frames from a video captured in the conventional manner are removed.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Structural dynamics technology research in NASA: Perspective on future needs

The perspective of a NASA ad hoc study group on future research needs in structural dynamics within the aerospace industry is presented. The common aspects of the design process across the industry are identified and the role of structural dynamics is established through a discussion of various design considerations having their basis in structural dynamics. The specific structural dynamics issues involved are identified and assessed as to their current technological status and trends. Projections of future requirements based on this assessment are made and areas of research to meet them are identified.

Source record↗

Analysis of structural dynamic data from Skylab. Volume 1: Technical discussion

A compendium of Skylab structural dynamics analytical and test programs is presented. These programs are assessed to identify lessons learned from the structural dynamic prediction effort and to provide guidelines for future analysts and program managers of complex spacecraft systems. It is a synopsis of the structural dynamic effort performed under the Skylab Integration contract and specifically covers the development, utilization, and correlation of Skylab Dynamic Orbital Models.

Demchak, L.↗