Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Model Validation”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4

Radiative transfer model validations during the First ISLSCP Field Experiment

Two simple radiative transfer models, the 5S model based on Tanre et al. (1985, 1986) and the wide-band model of Morcrette (1984) are validated by comparing their outputs with results obtained during the First ISLSCP Field Experiment on concomitant radiosonde, aerosol turbidity, and radiation measurements and sky photographs. Results showed that the 5S model overestimates the short-wave irradiance by 13.2 W/sq m, whereas the Morcrette model underestimated the long-wave irradiance by 7.4 W/sq m.

Frouin, Robert↗

NASA Engineering and Safety Center Technical Bulletin No. 14-03: COPV Mechanical Model Validation

Global and local deformation measurements should be incorporated into the composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) design and analysis process to allow correlation of these measurements with finite element analysis (FEA) models. This correlation improves understanding of liner, liner/overwrap interface, and composite deformation response in COPVs. The improved accuracy reduces error in subsequent analyses, such as fracture, fatigue, and stress rupture that are critical for COPV qualification.

Composite Overwrap Pressure Vehicle↗

Noninvasive assessment of mitral inertness: clinical results with numerical model validation

Inertial forces (Mdv/dt) are a significant component of transmitral flow, but cannot be measured with Doppler echo. We validated a method of estimating Mdv/dt. Ten patients had a dual sensor transmitral (TM) catheter placed during cardiac surgery. Doppler and 2D echo was performed while acquiring LA and LV pressures. Mdv/dt was determined from the Bernoulli equation using Doppler velocities and TM gradients. Results were compared with numerical modeling. TM gradients (range: 1.04-14.24 mmHg) consisted of 74.0 +/- 11.0% inertial forcers (range: 0.6-12.9 mmHg). Multivariate analysis predicted Mdv/dt = -4.171(S/D (RATIO)) + 0.063(LAvolume-max) + 5. Using this equation, a strong relationship was obtained for the clinical dataset (y=0.98x - 0.045, r=0.90) and the results of numerical modeling (y=0.96x - 0.16, r=0.84). TM gradients are mainly inertial and, as validated by modeling, can be estimated with echocardiography.

NASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary↗

SPHINX: An SEP Model Validation Infrastructure developed through Community Challenges and the SEP Scoreboards

Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) events are interesting from a scientific perspective as they are the product of a broad set of physical processes from the corona out through the extent of the heliosphere, and provide insight into processes of particle acceleration and transport that are widely applicable in astrophysics. From the operations perspective, SEP events pose a radiation hazard for aviation, electronics in space, and human space exploration, in particular for missions outside of the Earth’s protective magnetosphere including to the Moon and Mars (Whitman et al 2022). For these reasons, SEP modelers have developed a rich and diverse set of models with a wide variety of aims. Some models probe the basic physics at the heart of particle acceleration and transport. Others produce fast statistical forecasts or employ disruptive new techniques like Machine Learning with the goal to assist end users in making operational decisions. To enable a consistent and quantitative understanding of SEP model performance, a generalized, automated validation infrastructure, called SPHINX, is being developed at NASA SRAG in close collaboration with NASA CCMC, NASA M2M, NOAA SWPC, and BIRA-IASB. This infrastructure has been built up through a multi-year community challenge. Starting in 2018 at the SHINE workshop, an effort was launched through SHINE, ISWAT, and ESWW to encourage quantitative, comprehensive, and consistent validation of SEP models. This effort has defined a set of challenge SEP events with the aim of generating quantitative comparisons between forecasts and observations and a set of challenge “non-events” to assess false alarms. In 2023, these challenge lists have been extended to statistically significant numbers with a prescribed set of rules for producing forecasts and supported through the dedicated SEPVAL working meetings. The participation of the research community has allowed the infrastructure to validate all the types of outputs being produced by SEP models. In parallel, the SPHINX code is being applied to real time forecasts submitted to the SEP Scoreboards, ensuring that the validation infrastructure can interpret forecasts produced in an operational scenario and provide metrics meaningful for operations. Upon completion, SPHINX and its interactive user interface, SPHINX-Web, will be made available for public use.

space weather↗

A Hardware Model Validation Tool for Use in Complex Space Systems

One of the many technological hurdles that must be overcome in future missions is the challenge of validating as-built systems against the models used for design. We propose a technique composed of intelligent parameter exploration in concert with automated failure analysis as a scalable method for the validation of complex space systems. The technique is impervious to discontinuities and linear dependencies in the data, and can handle dimensionalities consisting of hundreds of variables over tens of thousands of experiments.

Davies, Misty Dawn↗

NASA Engineering and Safety Center Technical Bulletin No. 14-02: Aerodynamic Reaction Control System (RCS) Orientation and Jet Interaction (JI) Model Validation

Careful consideration should be given to placement and orientation of RCS jet thrusters on hypersonic entry vehicles in order to minimize adverse RCS JI. Modern state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools should be able to predict the RCS effectiveness and JI accurately when coupled with verification and validation studies, including the use of appropriately designed experimental wind tunnel testing.

Aerodynamic Reaction Control System↗

Velocity Discontinuity Propagation Model Validation Using an Approximate Point Source in Motion

The classic geometric acoustic solution for propagation through a mean flow velocity discontinuity is evaluated experimentally using an approximate point source in motion. The geometric approximation of the pressure field in both the frequency and time domains is first revisited for arbitrary subsonic flow and source motion along the flow axis. The derivation, computed via the method of stationary phase, shows the expected Doppler behavior of the radiated acoustic field due to the source motion acting in conjunction with the convective amplification effect for a stationary source in flow. The model is validated with a minimally intrusive, approximate point source of heat in the Quiet Flow Facility at the NASA Langley Research Center. Within the limitations of the experiment in this open-jet wind tunnel, data generally show agreement with the model across a range of flow speeds and microphone positions for a broad range of frequencies. Where disagreement between measurement and theory is noted, possible causes are discussed.

wind tunnel testing↗

Predictions of Line Chilldown Boiling Regime Transitions by a Coupled CFD-Sub-Grid Boiling Model Validated against 1G LN2 Experiments

Propellant storage and transfer during future long-duration missions will involve fuel depot operations in which a donor depot tank is used to fill a receiver spacecraft tank with a cryogenic propellant. Prior to the on-Orbit filling operation both the receiver tank and the transfer line must be cooled. The line chilldown process involves transition between boiling regimes in microgravity that will be quite different from their 1g ground-based counterparts. Since the cryogenic propellant itself will be used to perform the chilldown process, the time constants to cool the wall and the amount of fuel that will be used become important design considerations. In this light, the focus of the present work is to capture the flow boiling characteristics of a cryogenic fluid, namely, liquid nitrogen, during the chill-down of a transfer line using CFD modelling and simulations. The cryogenic chill-down process involves different flow boiling regimes: film boiling, transition boiling and nucleate boiling. The prediction of transition between these regimes in a CFD framework is new and challenging. The present work addresses this challenge by employing a volume-of-fluid (VOF) based methodology with Lee phase change model to predict the film boiling regime of the chill-down process in ANSYS Fluent®. The transition and nucleate boiling regimes are predicted by incorporating a sub-grid model that accounts for bubble nucleation, growth, shedding frequency, and departure diameter. The sub-grid model is implemented into Fluent via a user-defined function for wall-fluid heat flux calculations. The sub-grid model is similar in formulation to the well-known Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) boiling model. The CFD model is validated against published experimental data for liquid nitrogen chill-down of a heated stainless-steel pipe in 1g. Predicted results shows good agreement of wall temperature, rewetting temperature, and transition between film and nucleate boiling with the experimental measurements for several different LN2 flowrates in the vertical orientation. The strengths and weaknesses of this modeling approach are presented and discussed.

Cryogenic Fluid Management↗

Modeling Validation and Its Design Relevance for NTP Fuel Elements

The development of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion engines depends heavily on modeling and simulation of a number of disciplines—neutronic / fluid / thermal / structural are only a start. Further, rockets involve extreme conditions, particularly high material temperatures in the nuclear fuel. This paper considers validation of the underling physical models and codes and how their accuracy influences several design challenges. Several issues are identified, where models, material data, could enable design solutions. In particular, thermal and CTE mismatch stresses are a concern, and stress predictions would benefit from improved mechanical property data at high temperatures. Nuclear inter-element heating causes propellant flow maldistribution and performance risks, but a simple model provides insights. High temperature chemical diffusion should be modeled to understand fuel element mass loss.

Nuclear Propulsion↗

Modeling Validation and Its Design Relevance for NTP Fuel Elements

The development of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion engines depends heavily on modeling and simulation of a number of disciplines—neutronic / fluid / thermal / structural are only a start. Further, rockets involve extreme conditions, particularly high material temperatures in the nuclear fuel. This paper considers validation of the underling physical models and codes and how their accuracy influences several design challenges. Several issues are identified, where models, material data, could enable design solutions. In particular, thermal and CTE mismatch stresses are a concern, and stress predictions would benefit from improved mechanical property data at high temperatures. Nuclear inter-element heating causes propellant flow maldistribution and performance risks, but a simple model provides insights. High temperature chemical diffusion should be modeled to understand fuel element mass loss.

Nuclear Propulsion↗

Fuel Cell Model Validation with Power Module Test Data

The AES Modular Power Systems (AMPS) Fuel Cell team at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has created a Microsoft Excel model of a regenerative fuel cell (RFC) system for potential lunar and Martian applications. Due to some limitations of this model, including the ability to predict transient effects in the thermal and fluidic performance of the system, a system-level transient thermal/fluids model was desired. GT-SUITE is a transient multi-physics simulation tool that is popular in the automotive industry and has a built-in template for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. However, terrestrial fuel cells used in the automotive industry vary significantly from aerospace fuel cells. A validation effort was undertaken to compare GT SUITE model results to actual data collected during the 2015 AMPS (Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Modular Power Systems) Power Module Demonstration in which the AMPS team used a PEM fuel cell system to power a 478 kilogram rover assembly at the Dunes test site located at GRC. The purpose of the model was to evaluate the efficacy of using GT SUITE to model a non-flow through PEM fuel cell system. The validation effort examined electrochemical performance including fuel cell stack voltage and power supplied, the thermal performance of the stack namely stack temperature and heat rejection rates, and the fluidic performance of the system including pressures, reactant consumption, and water production rates.

Model Validation↗

Sub-nanometer Level Model Validation of the SIM Interferometer

The Space Interferometer Mission (SIM) flight instrument will not undergo a full performance, end-to-end system test on the ground due to a number of constraints. Thus, analysis and physics-based models will play a significant role in providing confidence that SIM will meet its science goals on orbit. The various models themselves are validated against the experimental results obtained from the MicroArcsecond Metrology (MAM) testbed adn the Diffraction testbed (DTB). The metric for validation is provided by the SIM astrometric error budget.

modeling↗

International Space Station Power System Model Validated

System Power Analysis for Capability Evaluation (SPACE) is a computer model of the International Space Station's (ISS) Electric Power System (EPS) developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center. This uniquely integrated, detailed model can predict EPS capability, assess EPS performance during a given mission with a specified load demand, conduct what-if studies, and support on-orbit anomaly resolution.

Hojnicki, Jeffrey S.↗

Vibroacoustic Model Validation for a Curved Honeycomb Composite Panel

Finite element and boundary element models are developed to investigate the vibroacoustic response of a curved honeycomb composite sidewall panel. Results from vibroacoustic tests conducted in the NASA Langley Structural Acoustic Loads and Transmission facility are used to validate the numerical predictions. The sidewall panel is constructed from a flexible honeycomb core sandwiched between carbon fiber reinforced composite laminate face sheets. This type of construction is being used in the development of an all-composite aircraft fuselage. In contrast to conventional rib-stiffened aircraft fuselage structures, the composite panel has nominally uniform thickness resulting in a uniform distribution of mass and stiffness. Due to differences in the mass and stiffness distribution, the noise transmission mechanisms for the composite panel are expected to be substantially different from those of a conventional rib-stiffened structure. The development of accurate vibroacoustic models will aide in the understanding of the dominant noise transmission mechanisms and enable optimization studies to be performed that will determine the most beneficial noise control treatments. Finite element and boundary element models of the sidewall panel are described. Vibroacoustic response predictions are presented for forced vibration input and the results are compared with experimental data.

Buehrle, Ralph D.↗

Turbulence Modeling Validation, Testing, and Development

The primary objective of this work is to provide accurate numerical solutions for selected flow fields and to compare and evaluate the performance of selected turbulence models with experimental results. Four popular turbulence models have been tested and validated against experimental data often turbulent flows. The models are: (1) the two-equation k-epsilon model of Wilcox, (2) the two-equation k-epsilon model of Launder and Sharma, (3) the two-equation k-omega/k-epsilon SST model of Menter, and (4) the one-equation model of Spalart and Allmaras. The flows investigated are five free shear flows consisting of a mixing layer, a round jet, a plane jet, a plane wake, and a compressible mixing layer; and five boundary layer flows consisting of an incompressible flat plate, a Mach 5 adiabatic flat plate, a separated boundary layer, an axisymmetric shock-wave/boundary layer interaction, and an RAE 2822 transonic airfoil. The experimental data for these flows are well established and have been extensively used in model developments. The results are shown in the following four sections: Part A describes the equations of motion and boundary conditions; Part B describes the model equations, constants, parameters, boundary conditions, and numerical implementation; and Parts C and D describe the experimental data and the performance of the models in the free-shear flows and the boundary layer flows, respectively.

Bardina, J. E.↗

Diffraction hardware testbed and model validation

Optical systems, which operate over a wide range of Fresnel numbers, are often times performance-limited by diffraction effects. In order to characterize such effects at the 40-100 picometer level, a diffraction testbed has been built which has the capability of measuring diffraction effects at this level. Concurrently, mathematical diffraction modeling tools have been developed that propagate an input wavefront through an optical train, while retaining amplitude and phase information at a grid resolution sufficient for yielding picometer-resolution diffraction test data. This paper contains a description of this diffraction hardware testbed, the diffraction modeling approach, and a comparison of the modeled and hardware test results, which then serves as validation of the diffraction modeling methodology.

optical↗