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At least 541 records · Page 30

Remote Sensing and Information Technology for Large Farms

A method of applying of remote sensing (RS) and information management technology to help large farms produce at maximum efficiency is undergoing development. The novelty of the method does not lie in the concept of "precision agriculture," which involves variation of seeding, of application of chemicals, and of irrigation according to the spatially and temporally local variations in the growth stages and health of crops and in the chemical and physical conditions of soils. The novelty also does not lie in the use of RS data registered with other data in a geographic information system (GIS) to guide the use of precise agricultural techniques. Instead, the novelty lies in a systematic approach to overcoming obstacles that, heretofore, have impeded the timely distribution of reliable, relevant, and sufficient GIS data to support day-to-day, acre-to-acre decisions concerning the application of precise agricultural techniques to increase production and decrease cost. The development and promotion of the method are inspired in part by a vision of equipping farm machinery to accept GIS (including RS) data and using the data for automated or semiautomated implementation of precise agricultural techniques. Primary examples of relevant GIS data include information on plant stress, soil moisture, and effects of applied chemicals, all derived by automated computational analysis of measurements taken by one or more airborne spectroradiometers. Proper management and timeliness of the large amount of GIS information are of paramount concern in agriculture. Information on stresses and changes in crops is especially perishable and important to farmers. The need for timeliness and management of information is satisfied by use of computing hardware and software capable of (1) rapid georectification and other processing of RS data, (2) packaging the output data in the form of GIS plots, and (3) making the data available to farmers and other subscribers by Internet password access. It is a goal of this development program to make RS data available no later than the data after an aerial survey. In addition, data from prior surveys are kept in the data base. Farmers can, for example, use current and prior data to analyze changes.

Williams, John E.↗

VECTAN II - A computer program for the spatial analysis of the vectorcardiogram

This paper presents the operation of a digital computer program, VECTAN II, for the spatial analysis of the vectorcardiogram (VCG). The program incorporates a unique waveform recognition algorithm based on the spatial vector length which has been shown to perform better than previous algorithms. The waveform analysis employed by the program considers the vectorcardiogram as a three dimensional entity rather than as scalar or planar representations. VECTAN II is designed chiefly to measure and quantify the VCG response of normal subjects to a controlled stress by analyzing one VCG complex every five seconds throughout a long experiment. The program has been used to analyze data from the NASA Johnson Space Center Cardiovascular Laboratory, from the pre- and postflight medical examinations of the Apollo 15, 16 and 17 crewmen, and from onboard Skylab experiments.

Golden, D. P., Jr.↗

Lightweight diesel aircraft engines for general aviation

A methodical design study was conducted to arrive at new diesel engine configurations and applicable advanced technologies. Two engines are discussed and the description of each engine includes concept drawings. A performance analysis, stress and weight prediction, and a cost study were also conducted. This information was then applied to two airplane concepts, a six-place twin and a four-place single engine aircraft. The aircraft study consisted of installation drawings, computer generated performance data, aircraft operating costs and drawings of the resulting airplanes. The performance data shows a vast improvement over current gasoline-powered aircraft. At the completion of this basic study, the program was expanded to evaluate a third engine configuration. This third engine incorporates the best features of the original two, and its design is currently in progress. Preliminary information on this engine is presented.

Berenyi, S. G.↗

Micromechanical predictions of crack propagation and fracture energy in a single fiber boron/aluminum model composite

The axisymmetric finite element model and associated computer program developed for the analysis of crack propagation in a composite consisting of a single broken fiber in an annular sheath of matrix material was extended to include a constant displacement boundary condition during an increment of crack propagation. The constant displacement condition permits the growth of a stable crack, as opposed to the catastropic failure in an earlier version. The finite element model was refined to respond more accurately to the high stresses and steep stress gradients near the broken fiber end. The accuracy and effectiveness of the conventional constant strain axisymmetric element for crack problems was established by solving the classical problem of a penny-shaped crack in a thick cylindrical rod under axial tension. The stress intensity factors predicted by the present finite element model are compared with existing continuum results.

Adams, D. F.↗

NASTRAN thermal analyzer in a unified finite-element treatment of thermo-structural analyses

The NASTRAN thermal analyzer (NTA) which performs large-scale unified thermo-structural analyses with the NASTRAN (NASA structural analysis) computer program is described. The mathematical similitude between these two distinct disciplines of thermal and structure is examined. It serves as the theoretical basis upon which the implementation of the thermal capability in NASTRAN was accomplished. The program structure, the functional flow, the solution algorithms, the organization of an input data deck and the solution capabilities of NTA are summarized. Emphasis is placed on the interface of the unified approach in thermo-structural analyses where stresses, deflections, vibrations and bucklings induced by the effect of temperature change are of concern. Attentions are also directed to the preprocessor and post processors. As a specially designed preprocessor, the VIEW program is capable of generating exchange factors which can be output, at user's option, in formats compatible with that required by NTA. Two post processors that serve specific objectives are included. They are the thermal variance analysis and the graphical displaying capability of temperatures in color or black and white.

Lee, H. P.↗

Computational strategies in the dynamic simulation of constrained flexible MBS

This research focuses on the computational dynamics of flexible constrained multibody systems. At first a recursive mapping formulation of the kinematical expressions in a minimum dimension as well as the matrix representation of the equations of motion are presented. The method employs Kane's equation, FEM, and concepts of continuum mechanics. The generalized active forces are extended to include the effects of high temperature conditions, such as creep, thermal stress, and elastic-plastic deformation. The time variant constraint relations for rolling/contact conditions between two flexible bodies are also studied. The constraints for validation of MBS simulation of gear meshing contact using a modified Timoshenko beam theory are also presented. The last part deals with minimization of vibration/deformation of the elastic beam in multibody systems making use of time variant boundary conditions. The above methodologies and computational procedures developed are being implemented in a program called DYAMUS.

Amirouche, F. M. L.↗

Computerized Generation and Simulation of Meshing and Contact of New Type of Novikov-Wildhaber Helical Gears

In this report, we propose a new geometry for low-noise, increased-strength helical gears of the Novikov-Wildhaber type. Contact stresses are reduced as a result of their convex-concave gear tooth surfaces. The gear tooth surfaces are crowned in the profile direction to localize bearing contact and in the longitudinal direction to obtain a parabolic function of transmission errors. Such a function results in the reduction of noise and vibrations. Methods for the generation of the proposed gear tooth surfaces by grinding and hobbing are considered, and a tooth contact analysis (TCA) computer program to simulate meshing and contact is applied. The report also investigates the influence of misalignment on transmission errors and shift of bearing contact. Numerical examples to illustrate the developed approaches are proposed. The proposed geometry was patented by Ford/UIC (Serial Number 09-340-824, pending) on June 28, 1999.

Litvin, Faydor L.↗

Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Orbiter Main Propulsion System (MPS) Gaseous Hydrogen (GH2) Flow Control Valve (FCV) Poppet Eddy Current (EC) Inspection Probability of Detection (POD) Study

The Director of the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC), requested an independent assessment of the anomalous gaseous hydrogen (GH2) flow incident on the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Orbiter Vehicle (OV)-105 during the Space Transportation System (STS)-126 mission. The main propulsion system (MPS) engine #2 GH2 flow control valve (FCV) LV-57 transition from low towards high flow position without being commanded. Post-flight examination revealed that the FCV LV-57 poppet had experienced a fatigue failure that liberated a section of the poppet flange. The NESC assessment provided a peer review of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD), stress analysis, and impact testing. A probability of detection (POD) study was requested by the SSP Orbiter Project for the eddy current (EC) nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques that were developed to inspect the flight FCV poppets. This report contains the findings and recommendations from the NESC assessment.

Piascik, Robert S.↗

Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Orbiter Main Propulsion System (MPS) Gaseous Hydrogen (GH2) Flow Control Valve (FCV) Poppet Eddy Current (EC) Inspection Probability of Detection (POD) Study: Appendices - Volume 2

The Director of the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC), requested an independent assessment of the anomalous gaseous hydrogen (GH2) flow incident on the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Orbiter Vehicle (OV)-105 during the Space Transportation System (STS)-126 mission. The main propulsion system (MPS) engine #2 GH2 flow control valve (FCV) LV-57 transition from low towards high flow position without being commanded. Post-flight examination revealed that the FCV LV-57 poppet had experienced a fatigue failure that liberated a section of the poppet flange. The NESC assessment provided a peer review of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD), stress analysis, and impact testing. A probability of detection (POD) study was requested by the SSP Orbiter Project for the eddy current (EC) nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques that were developed to inspect the flight FCV poppets. This report contains the Appendices to the main report.

Piascik, Robert S.↗

Remote Sensing and Information Technology for Large Farms

A method of applying remote sensing (RS) and information-management technology to help large farms produce at maximum efficiency is undergoing development. The novelty of the method does not lie in the concept of precision agriculture, which involves variation of seeding, of application of chemicals, and of irrigation according to the spatially and temporally local variations in the growth stages and health of crops and in the chemical and physical conditions of soils. The novelty also does not lie in the use of RS data registered with other data in a geographic information system (GIS) to guide the use of precise agricultural techniques. Instead, the novelty lies in a systematic approach to overcoming obstacles that, heretofore, have impeded the timely distribution of reliable, relevant, and sufficient GIS data to support day-to-day, acre-to-acre decisions concerning the application of precise agricultural techniques to increase production and decrease cost. The development and promotion of the method are inspired in part by a vision of equipping farm machinery to accept GIS (including RS) data and using the data for automated or semi-automated implementation of precise agricultural techniques. Primary examples of relevant GIS data include information on plant stress, soil moisture, and effects of applied chemicals, all derived by automated computational analysis of measurements taken by one or more airborne spectroradiometers. Proper management and timeliness of the large amount of GIS information are of paramount concern in agriculture. Information on stresses and changes in crops is especially perishable and important to farmers. The need for timeliness and management of information is satisfied by use of computing hardware and software capable of (1) rapid geo-rectification and other processing of RS data, (2) packaging the output data in the form of GIS plots, and (3) making the data available to farmers and other subscribers by Internet password access. It is a goal of this development program to make RS data available no later than the data after an aerial survey. In addition, data from prior surveys are kept in the data base. Farmers can, for example, use current and prior data to analyze changes.

Williams, John E.↗

VAPEPS Management Center

A VibroAcoustic Payload Environment Prediction System (VAPEPS) Management Center is established and being maintained at JPL. VAPEPS is a computer program that utilizes statistical energy analysis (SEA) theory and SEA extrapolation methods to predict the vibroacoustic environments of complex systems. The program is commonly utilized to establish random vibration and acoustic test requirements for aerospace components exposed to launch environments. It can also be used in the payload or launch vehicle design process for control or mitigation of the launch or on-orbit vibration and acoustic environments, as well as to calculate acoustically induced stresses in structures such as solar panels and reflectors.

VAPEPS↗

Computer Aided Modeling to Determine the Effectiveness of Resistive Exercises as Countermeasures for Bone Mineral Density Loss

Due to the loss of gravitational loading, astronauts have a tendency to lose bone mineral density in their lumbar spine and lower extremities on orbit. NASA requires astronauts to perform exercises during space flight to help reduce the amount of demineralization. To test these exercises on earth, 17 week bed rest studies are conducted that consist of specific diet and exercise regimes. Developing a finite element model of these exercises will help to quantify the stress distribution imposed by of each of these exercises. To help develop this model, MRI images are acquired from individuals participating in the bed rest studies. The MRIs can be used to create a subject specific model of each individual for testing. The MRIs are processed in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data Transfer System program to develop a three-dimensional finite element model of the femur for evaluation. Modifications were made to the MRIDTS that simplified the model creation process. These modifications made it possible to construct two separate models of different portions of a bone simultaneously and then later connect them manually. This helped alleviate the warping problem associated with the drastic changes in geometry found in some body parts, such as the joints. The code was also modified to incorporate material properties of various bone components into the model. Interior meshing was also incorporated into the program to allow for both the cortical shell and the entire bone to be modeled. A prototype model of the right femur of an adult female is being constructed and tested to determine the feasibility of finite element analysis as a tool for evaluating exercise effectiveness. The model is being run through the ANSYS finite element program on the Alabama Super Computer Network. After the model is validated, models of bedrest subjects can be generated to investigate exercise countermeasures.

Murphy, Benjamin M.↗

EAC: A program for the error analysis of STAGS results for plates

A computer code is now available for estimating the error in results from the STAGS finite element code for a shell unit consisting of a rectangular orthotropic plate. This memorandum contains basic information about the computer code EAC (Error Analysis and Correction) and describes the connection between the input data for the STAGS shell units and the input data necessary to run the error analysis code. The STAGS code returns a set of nodal displacements and a discrete set of stress resultants; the EAC code returns a continuous solution for displacements and stress resultants. The continuous solution is defined by a set of generalized coordinates computed in EAC. The theory and the assumptions that determine the continuous solution are also outlined in this memorandum. An example of application of the code is presented and instructions on its usage on the Cyber and the VAX machines have been provided.

Sistla, Rajaram↗

Optimization of structures undergoing harmonic or stochastic excitation

The optimal design was investigated of simple structures subjected to dynamic loads, with constraints on the structures' responses. Optimal designs were examined for one dimensional structures excited by harmonically oscillating loads, similar structures excited by white noise, and a wing in the presence of continuous atmospheric turbulence. The first has constraints on the maximum allowable stress while the last two place bounds on the probability of failure of the structure. Approximations were made to replace the time parameter with a frequency parameter. For the first problem, this involved the steady state response, and in the remaining cases, power spectral techniques were employed to find the root mean square values of the responses. Optimal solutions were found by using computer algorithms which combined finite elements methods with optimization techniques based on mathematical programming. It was found that the inertial loads for these dynamic problems result in optimal structures that are radically different from those obtained for structures loaded statically by forces of comparable magnitude.

Johnson, E. H.↗

Decision making and problem solving with computer assistance

In modern guidance and control systems, the human as manager, supervisor, decision maker, problem solver and trouble shooter, often has to cope with a marginal mental workload. To improve this situation, computers should be used to reduce the operator from mental stress. This should not solely be done by increased automation, but by a reasonable sharing of tasks in a human-computer team, where the computer supports the human intelligence. Recent developments in this area are summarized. It is shown that interactive support of operator by intelligent computer is feasible during information evaluation, decision making and problem solving. The applied artificial intelligence algorithms comprehend pattern recognition and classification, adaptation and machine learning as well as dynamic and heuristic programming. Elementary examples are presented to explain basic principles.

Kraiss, F.↗

Bearing tester data compilation, analysis, and reporting and bearing math modeling

The Shaberth bearing analysis computer program was developed for the analysis of jet engine shaft/bearing systems operating above room temperature with normal hydrocarbon lubricants. It is also possible to use this tool to evaluate the shaft bearing systems operating in cryogenics. Effects such as fluid drag, radial temperature gradients, outer race misalignments and clearance changes were simulated and evaluated. In addition, the speed and preload effects on bearing radial stiffness was evaluated. The Shaberth program was also used to provide contact stresses from which contact geometry was calculated to support other analyses such as the determination of cryogenic fluid film thickness in the contacts and evaluation of surface and subsurface stresses necessary for bearing failure evaluation. This program was a vital tool for the thermal analysis of the bearing in that it provides the heat generation rates at the rolling element/race contacts for input into a thermal model of the bearing/shaft assembly.

Source record↗

Comparative Evaluation of Different Optimization Algorithms for Structural Design Applications

Non-linear programming algorithms play an important role in structural design optimization. Fortunately, several algorithms with computer codes are available. At NASA Lewis Research Centre, a project was initiated to assess the performance of eight different optimizers through the development of a computer code CometBoards. This paper summarizes the conclusions of that research. CometBoards was employed to solve sets of small, medium and large structural problems, using the eight different optimizers on a Cray-YMP8E/8128 computer. The reliability and efficiency of the optimizers were determined from the performance of these problems. For small problems, the performance of most of the optimizers could be considered adequate. For large problems, however, three optimizers (two sequential quadratic programming routines, DNCONG of IMSL and SQP of IDESIGN, along with Sequential Unconstrained Minimizations Technique SUMT) outperformed others. At optimum, most optimizers captured an identical number of active displacement and frequency constraints but the number of active stress constraints differed among the optimizers. This discrepancy can be attributed to singularity conditions in the optimization and the alleviation of this discrepancy can improve the efficiency of optimizers.

Patnaik, Surya N.↗

On local total strain redistribution using a simplified cyclic inelastic analysis based on an elastic solution

Strain redistribution corrections were developed for a simplified inelastic analysis procedure to economically calculate material cyclic response at the critical location of a structure for life prediction purposes. The method was based on the assumption that the plastic region in the structure is local and the total strain history required for input can be defined from elastic finite element analyses. Cyclic stress-strain behavior was represented by a bilinear kinematic hardening model. The simplified procedure has been found to predict stress-strain response with reasonable accuracy for thermally cycled problems but needs improvement for mechanically load cycled problems. This study derived and incorporated Neuber type corrections in the simplified procedure to account for local total strain redistribution under cyclic mechanical loading. The corrected simplified method was exercised on a mechanically load cycled benchmark notched plate problem. Excellent agreement was found between the predicted material response and nonlinear finite element solutions for the problem. The simplified analysis computer program used 0.3 percent of the CPU time required for a nonlinear finite element analysis.

Hwang, S. Y.↗