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At least 73 records · Page 4

Discretization and Preconditioning Algorithms for the Euler and Navier-Stokes Equations on Unstructured Meshes

Several stabilized demoralization procedures for conservation law equations on triangulated domains will be considered. Specifically, numerical schemes based on upwind finite volume, fluctuation splitting, Galerkin least-squares, and space discontinuous Galerkin demoralization will be considered in detail. A standard energy analysis for several of these methods will be given via entropy symmetrization. Next, we will present some relatively new theoretical results concerning congruence relationships for left or right symmetrized equations. These results suggest new variants of existing FV, DG, GLS, and FS methods which are computationally more efficient while retaining the pleasant theoretical properties achieved by entropy symmetrization. In addition, the task of Jacobean linearization of these schemes for use in Newton's method is greatly simplified owing to exploitation of exact symmetries which exist in the system. The FV, FS and DG schemes also permit discrete maximum principle analysis and enforcement which greatly adds to the robustness of the methods. Discrete maximum principle theory will be presented for general finite volume approximations on unstructured meshes. Next, we consider embedding these nonlinear space discretizations into exact and inexact Newton solvers which are preconditioned using a nonoverlapping (Schur complement) domain decomposition technique. Elements of nonoverlapping domain decomposition for elliptic problems will be reviewed followed by the present extension to hyperbolic and elliptic-hyperbolic problems. Other issues of practical relevance such the meshing of geometries, code implementation, turbulence modeling, global convergence, etc, will. be addressed as needed.

Barth, Timothy J.↗

A Functional Interpolation Approach to Compute Period Orbits in the Circular Restricted Three-body Problem

In this paper, we develop a method to solve for periodic orbits, i.e., Lyapunov and Halo orbits, using a functional interpolation scheme called the Theory of Func- tional Connections (TFC). Using this technique, a periodic constraint is analyti- cally embedded into the TFC constrained expression. By doing this, the system of differential equations governing the three-body problem is transformed into an unconstrained optimization problem where simple numerical schemes can be used to find a solution, e.g., nonlinear least-squares is used. This allows for a simpler numerical implementation with comparable accuracy and speed to the traditional differential corrector method.

Mortari, Daniele↗

Scattering and distortion of the unsteady motion on transversely sheared mean flows

It is shown that the pressure and velocity fluctuations of the unsteady motion on a transversely sheared mean flow can be expressed entirely in terms of the derivatives of two potential functions. One of these is a convected quantity that can be specified as a boundary condition and is related to a transverse component of the upstream velocity field. The other can be determined by solving an inhomogeneous wave equation whose source term is also a convected quantity that can be specified as a boundary condition in any given problem. The general theory is used to study the interaction of an unsteady flow with a semi-infinite plate embedded in a shear layer. The acoustic field produced by this interaction is calculated in the limits of low and high frequency. The results are compared with experimental one-third octave sound pressure level radiation patterns. The agreement is found to be excellent, especially in the low frequency range, where the mean-flow and convective effects are shown to have a strong influence on the directivity of the sound.

Goldstein, M. E.↗

Recent results concerning the stability of viscoelastic shear deformable plates under compressive edge loading

Some recent results obtained by the authors are summarized concerning the stability of transversely isotropic flat panels whose materials exhibit a viscoelastic behavior and whose edges are subjected to in-plane biaxial compressive loads. Two transversely isotropic type materials, largely used in advanced technology, are considered: (1) the pyrolytic-graphite type, used in the thermal protection of aerospace vehicles, and (2) the type corresponding to unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites. In the former case, the planes of isotropy are parallel at each point to the midplane of the plate. In the latter case, they are normal to the fiber directions. The micromechanical relations developed by Aboudi (1984, 1986, 1987) are considered in conjunction with the correspondence principle of linear viscoelastic theory in order to predict the macroscopic viscoelastic properties of a material composed of uniaxial elastic fibers embedded in a linear viscoelastic matrix.

Librescu, L.↗

Discrete-Layer Piezoelectric Plate and Shell Models for Active Tip-Clearance Control

The objectives of this work were to develop computational tools for the analysis of active-sensory composite structures with added or embedded piezoelectric layers. The targeted application for this class of smart composite laminates and the analytical development is the accomplishment of active tip-clearance control in turbomachinery components. Two distinct theories and analytical models were developed and explored under this contract: (1) a discrete-layer plate theory and corresponding computational models, and (2) a three dimensional general discrete-layer element generated in curvilinear coordinates for modeling laminated composite piezoelectric shells. Both models were developed from the complete electromechanical constitutive relations of piezoelectric materials, and incorporate both displacements and potentials as state variables. This report describes the development and results of these models. The discrete-layer theories imply that the displacement field and electrostatic potential through-the-thickness of the laminate are described over an individual layer rather than as a smeared function over the thickness of the entire plate or shell thickness. This is especially crucial for composites with embedded piezoelectric layers, as the actuating and sensing elements within these layers are poorly represented by effective or smeared properties. Linear Lagrange interpolation polynomials were used to describe the through-thickness laminate behavior. Both analytic and finite element approximations were used in the plane or surface of the structure. In this context, theoretical developments are presented for the discrete-layer plate theory, the discrete-layer shell theory, and the formulation of an exact solution for simply-supported piezoelectric plates. Finally, evaluations and results from a number of separate examples are presented for the static and dynamic analysis of the plate geometry. Comparisons between the different approaches are provided when possible, and initial conclusions regarding the accuracy and limitations of these models are given.

Heyliger, P. R.↗

Fiber Composite Sandwich Thermostructural Behavior - Computational Simulation

Four computational simulation methods with different levels of sophistication were used to simulate thermal behavior and structural changes of composite sandwich panels with a honeycomb core subjected to a variety of environmental effects. The models on thich these methods are based include three-dimensional finite-element modeling, three-dimensional finite-element modeling assuming a homogeneous core, laminate theory, and simple equations for predicting the equivalent properties of the honeycomb core. A procedure was developed and embedded in a composite mechanics computer code, which made it possile to conduct parametric studies to determine 'optimum' composite sandwich configurations for specific applications. The procedure was applied for the evaluation of composite sandwich behavior at the global, local, laminate, ply, and micromechanics levels when the composite sandwich is subjected to hygral, thermal, and mechanical loading environments.

Chamis, Christos C.↗

Nonlinear development and secondary instability of Gortler vortices in hypersonic flows

In a hypersonic boundary layer over a wall of variable curvature, the region most susceptible to Goertler vortices is the temperature adjustment layer over which the basic state temperature decreases monotonically to its free stream value. Except for a special wall curvature distribution, the evolution of Goertler vortices trapped in the temperature adjustment layer will in general be strongly affected by the boundary layer growth through the O(M sup 3/2) curvature of the basic state, where M is the free stream Mach number. Only when the local wavenumber becomes as large as of order M sup 3/8, do nonparallel effects become negligible in the determination of stability properties. In the latter case, Goertler vortices will be trapped in a thin layer of O(epsilon sup 1/2) thickness which is embedded in the temperature adjustment layer; here epsilon is the inverse of the local wavenumber. A weakly nonlinear theory is presented in which the initial nonlinear development of Goertler vortices in the neighborhood of the neutral position is studied and two coupled evolution equations are derived. From these, it can be determined whether the vortices are decaying or growing depending on the sign of a constant which is related to wall curvature and the basic state temperature.

Fu, Yibin B.↗

Photoionization of Benzene and Small Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ultraviolet-Processed Astrophysical Ices: A Computational Study

We employed density functional theory (DFT) calculations to model the photoionization behavior of benzene and small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons when they are embedded in a matrix of water ice in order to investigate issues raised by recent experimental work by Gudipati and Allamandola. The ionization energies of benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene were found to be lowered by 1.5-2.1 eV in water ice. Low-lying vertical electronic excitation energies were computed with time-dependent DFT for both neutral and ionized species and are found in both cases to be remarkably unaffected by the ice matrix. Chemical behavior in ultraviolet-photoprocessed ices is also discussed, with a focus on electron recombination and pathways leading to phenol and analogous products.

Woon, D. E.↗

Plasmon Resonances of Metal Nanoparticles in an Absorbing Medium

We study the behavior of plasmon resonances of metal nanospheres embedded in an absorbing medium. First-principles far-field computations based on the general Lorenz–Mie theory show that increasing absorption in the host medium broadens and suppresses plasmon resonances in the extinction and effective scattering efficiency factors and suppresses resonance features in the phase function. These effects of absorption are analogous to those on the morphology-dependent resonances of dielectric particles with large size parameters.

Mishchenko, Michael I.↗

Push-out tests on a new silicon carbide/reaction-bonded silicon carbide ceramic matrix composite

Fiber push-out tests have been performed on a ceramic matrix composite consisting of carborundum-sintered SiC fibers, with a BN coating, embedded in a reaction-bonded SiC matrix. Analysis of the push-out data, utilizing the most complete theory presently available, shows that one of the fiber/coating/matrix interfaces has a low fracture energy (one-tenth that of the fiber) and a moderate sliding resistance of about 8 MPa. The debonded sliding interface shows some continuous but minor abrasion, which appears to increase the sliding resistance, but overall the system exhibits very clean smooth sliding. The tensile response of a full-scale composite is then modeled using data obtained here and known fiber strengths to demonstrate the good composite behavior predicted for this material.

Curtin, William A.↗

Probabilistic Finite Element: Variational Theory

The goal of this research is to provide techniques which are cost-effective and enable the engineer to evaluate the effect of uncertainties in complex finite element models. Embedding the probabilistic aspects in a variational formulation is a natural approach. In addition, a variational approach to probabilistic finite elements enables it to be incorporated within standard finite element methodologies. Therefore, once the procedures are developed, they can easily be adapted to existing general purpose programs. Furthermore, the variational basis for these methods enables them to be adapted to a wide variety of structural elements and to provide a consistent basis for incorporating probabilistic features in many aspects of the structural problem. Tasks concluded include the theoretical development of probabilistic variational equations for structural dynamics, the development of efficient numerical algorithms for probabilistic sensitivity displacement and stress analysis, and integration of methodologies into a pilot computer code.

Belytschko, T.↗

Waves in low-beta plasmas - Slow shocks

Results from wave theory and numerical simulation of the nonlinear MHD equations are used to study the response of a conducting fluid containing an embedded magnetic field with beta less than 1 to the sudden injection of material along the field lines. It is shown that the injection produces slow shocks with configurations which are concave toward the ejecta driver. Fast-mode waves which have not steepened into the shock precede the slow shock and alter the ambient medium. When beta equals 0.1, the fast mode becomes a transverse wave for parallel propagation, while the slow wave approaches a longitudinal, or sound, wave.

Steinolfson, R. S.↗

A conservative type-dependent full potential method for the treatment of supersonic flows with embedded subsonic regions

A nonlinear method based on the full potential equation in conservation form, cast in an arbitrary coordinate system, has been developed to treat predominantly supersonic flows with embedded subsonic regions. This type of flow field occurs frequently near the fuselage-canopy junction area and wing leading edge regions for a moderately swept fighter configuration. The method uses the theory of characteristics to accurately monitor the type-dependent flow field. A conservative switching scheme is developed to transition from the supersonic marching algorithm to a subsonic relaxation procedure, and vice versa. An implicit approximate factorization scheme is employed to solve the finite-differenced equation. Results are shown for a few configurations, including a wing-body-wake realistic fighter model having embedded subsonic regions.

Shankar, V.↗

Composite sandwich thermostructural behavior - Computational simulation

Computational methods have been developed for simulating the thermomechanical behavior of composite sandwiches, in which the analyses with several levels of progressive sophistication were used in conjunction with composite hygrothermomechanical theory. The sophistication levels include: (1) three-dimensional detailed finite element modeling of the honeycomb, the adhesive, and the composite faces; (2) three-dimensional finite element modeling assuming a homogeneous core; (3) laminate theory simulation; and (4) simple equations for predicting the equivalent properties of the honeycomb core. These levels have been packaged into a procedure embedded in a computer code streamlined for the simulation of the composite sandwich hygrothermal and structural behavior. It is shown that in order to properly simulate the thermomechanical response of the composite sandwich, all the honeycomb thermal and mechanical properties must be used.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Overview of Methods for Deriving the Radiative Transfer Theory from the Maxwell Equations. I: Approach Based on the Far-Field Foldy Equations

In this paper, we revisit, with further enhancements and clarifications, the self-consistent first-principles approach developed previously for deriving the vector radiative transfer theory for a discrete random medium with a sparse concentration of particles. We specifically consider the case of a plane-parallel particulate layer embedded in an otherwise homogeneous unbounded medium. The solution method is based on the far-field Foldy equations, an order-of-scattering expansion for the total field derived under the Twersky approximation, the computation of the coherent field by assuming that the positions of the particles are uncorrelated, and the ladder approximation for the coherency dyadic. The latter yields an integral equation for the diffuse specific coherency dyadic, defined through an angular spectrum repre- sentation for the coherency dyadic, which in turn, gives the vector radiative transfer equation for the diffuse specific intensity column vector. We analyze specifically the computation of the coherent field for inhomogeneous particulate media and multiple species of particles, the continuous extension of the far-field representation to the near field, the Foldy approximation, and the Foldy integral equation for the coherent field. Finally, we discuss the transition from the vector to the scalar radiative transfer equation.

Doicu, Adrian↗

Parallel processors and nonlinear structural dynamics algorithms and software

A nonlinear structural dynamics finite element program was developed to run on a shared memory multiprocessor with pipeline processors. The program, WHAMS, was used as a framework for this work. The program employs explicit time integration and has the capability to handle both the nonlinear material behavior and large displacement response of 3-D structures. The elasto-plastic material model uses an isotropic strain hardening law which is input as a piecewise linear function. Geometric nonlinearities are handled by a corotational formulation in which a coordinate system is embedded at the integration point of each element. Currently, the program has an element library consisting of a beam element based on Euler-Bernoulli theory and trianglar and quadrilateral plate element based on Mindlin theory.

Belytschko, Ted↗

Reflection and emission properties on Venus - Alpha Regio

Procedures developed from Hagfors' (1964) scattering model have been used with success to extract various properties (reflectivity, emissivity, slope, etc.) from both Pioneer Venus and Magellan data. However, under certain circumstances, such as physically rough areas or areas of nonhomogeneous composition, Hagfors' model may lead to serious errors in the interpretation of radar and radiometry data. The Magellan-derived surface properties are examined for some areas of below average emissivity in Alpha Regio and in an area to the east of Alpha, Crater Stuart, in order to determine if Hagfors' model is applicable. Methods of classical multiple scattering theory are also applied to show that enhanced radar backscattering and depressed thermal emission can be expected with a matrix of silicic or mafic rocks embedded in low loss soils.

Tryka, Kimberly A.↗