Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “structures testing”

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 775 records · Page 43

Structural and preliminary thermal performance testing of a pressure activated contact heat exchanger

A contact heat exchanger concept is being developed for use onboard Space Station as an interface device between external thermal bus and pressurized modules. The concept relies on mechanical contact activated by the fluid pressure inside thin-walled tubes. Structural testings were carried out to confirm the technology feasibility of using such thin-walled tubes. The test results also verified the linear elastic stress analysis which was used to predict the tube mechanical behaviors. A preliminary thermal testing was also performed with liquid Freon-11 flowing inside tubes and heat being supplied by electrical heating from the bottom of the contact heat exchanger baseplate. The test results showed excellent agreement of test data with analytical prediction for all thermal resistances except for the two-phase flow characteristics. Testing with two-phase flow inside tubes will, however, be performed on the NASA-JSC test bed.

Lee, C. Y.↗

End-of-fabrication CMOS process monitor

A set of test 'modules' for verifying the quality of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process at the end of the wafer fabrication is documented. By electrical testing of specific structures, over thirty parameters are collected characterizing interconnects, dielectrics, contacts, transistors, and inverters. Each test module contains a specification of its purpose, the layout of the test structure, the test procedures, the data reduction algorithms, and exemplary results obtained from 3-, 2-, or 1.6-micrometer CMOS/bulk processes. The document is intended to establish standard process qualification procedures for Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC's).

Buehler, M. G.↗

Optimum structural design based on reliability and proof-load testing

Proof-load test eliminates structures with strength less than the proof load and improves the reliability value in analysis. It truncates the distribution function of strength at the proof load, thereby alleviating verification of a fitted distribution function at the lower tail portion where data are usually nonexistent.

Shinozuka, M.↗

Direct structural parameter identification by modal test results

A direct identification procedure is proposed to obtain the mass and stiffness matrices based on the test measured eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The method is based on the theory of matrix perturbation in which the correct mass and stiffness matrices are expanded in terms of analytical values plus a modification matrix. The simplicity of the procedure enables real time operation during the structural testing.

Chen, J.-C.↗

Digital Image Correlation Data Processing and Analysis Techniques to Enhance Test Data Assessment and Improve Structural Simulations

The NASA Shell Buckling Knockdown Factor Project (SBKF) was established in 2007 by the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) with the primary goal to develop new analysis-based buckling design factors (a.k.a. knockdown factors) and high-fidelity buckling simulations for selected launch-vehicle-like cylindrical shell structures. A series of tests are being conducted on large-scale metallic and composite cylindrical shells in order to provide validation data for these new factors and simulations. However, the validation of these new factors and simulations is quite demanding and requires test data that is commensurate with their fidelity. Traditional instrumentation, such as linear variable displacement transducers (LVDTs) and electrical-resistance strain gages serve a critical role in providing accurate displacement and strain measurements in these tests, but only allow for data to be recorded at a select number of point locations and are not sufficient to provide all the necessary validation data. Advanced measurement technologies can be used effectively to complement traditional instrumentation and gather additional data required to validate these structural simulations. In particular, three-dimensional digital image correlation (DIC) was implemented during SBKF cylinder testing to characterize the full-field displacement and strain behavior. Commercially available VIC-3DTM software and user-written data processing scripts were used to generate valuable data and insight into the complex buckling response of the cylinders that otherwise would be impossible to gather using traditional instrumentation. In addition, the measured data from DIC was used to verify measured test data obtained from other instrumentation, enhance test and analysis correlation, and help identify the root cause of anomalous test results that may have gone unexplained if only traditional instrumentation was used. Selected test results that demonstrate the use of DIC on the SBKF cylinders are presented and a portion of the data processing methods are described.

Gardner, Nathaniel W.↗

Test Results for Autonomous Assembly of Modular Space Structures

This paper presents test results for autonomous assembly of a modular space structure. A Universal Robots UR10e manipulator with a custom end-effector, known as the Grapple Tool, was used to join TriTruss structural modules. The TriTrusses and their assembly configuration were developed for an in-space assembled telescope conceptual design. The tests presented here were performed with a 1:2.8 dimensionally scaled version of the Tri-Trusses. Robot trajectories were generated autonomously using a sample-based motion planner and an a-priori worksite model. The test results verify the assembly concept of operations as well as the software requirements for the Grapple Tool. While the Grapple Tool used in the tests was designed for the 1:2.8 scale Tri-Trusses, it has the same actuators, software, and computation architecture as the version designed for the full scale structure. The test operations consist of picking up two TriTrusses from their stowed locations and joining them to a third TriTruss mounted on a test stand and joining them to each other. This constitutes the first three modules of the in-space assembled telescope conceptual design. The paper presents the robot behavioral architecture, the generated trajectories commanded, the actual trajectories of the robot, and actuator performance of the Grapple Tool.

test↗

Test Results for Autonomous Assembly of Modular Space Structures

This paper presents test results for autonomous assembly of a modular space structure. A Universal Robots UR10e manipulator with a custom end-effector, known as the Grapple Tool, was used to join TriTruss structural modules. The TriTrusses and their assembly configuration were developed for an in-space assembled telescope conceptual design. The tests presented here were performed with a 1:2.8 dimensionally scaled version of the Tri-Trusses. Robot trajectories were generated autonomously using a sample-based motion planner and an a-priori worksite model. The test results verify the assembly concept of operations as well as the software requirements for the Grapple Tool. While the Grapple Tool used in the tests was designed for the 1:2.8 scale Tri-Trusses, it has the same actuators, software, and computation architecture as the version designed for the full scale structure. The test operations consist of picking up two TriTrusses from their stowed locations and joining them to a third TriTruss mounted on a test stand and joining them to each other. This constitutes the first three modules of the in-space assembled telescope conceptual design. The paper presents the robot behavioral architecture, the generated trajectories commanded, the actual trajectories of the robot, and actuator performance of the Grapple Tool.

test↗

Finite-element-analysis model and preliminary ground testing of controls-structures interaction evolutionary model reflector

Results of two different nonlinear finite element analyses and preliminary test results for the final design of the Controls-Structures Interaction Evolutionary Model are presented. Load-deflection data bases are generalized from analysis and testing of the 16-foot diameter, dish shaped reflector. Natural frequencies and mode shapes are obtained from vibrational analysis. Experimental and analytical results show similar trends; however, future test hardware modifications and finite element model refinement would be necessary to obtain better correlation. The two nonlinear analysis procedures are both adequate techniques for the analysis of prestressed structures with complex geometries.

Reaves, Mercedes C.↗

A preliminary investigation of projectile shape effects in hypervelocity impact of a double-sheet structure

Impact tests of a sphere and several cylinders of various masses and fineness ratios, all of aluminum, fired into an aluminum double-sheet structure at velocities near 7 km/sec, show that a cylinder, impacting in the direction of its axis, is considerably more effective as a penetrator than a sphere. Impacts of three cylinders of equal mass, but different fineness ratios, produced holes through the structures' rear sheet, whereas impact of a sphere of the same mass did not. Moreover, it was found that to prevent rear-sheet penetration, the mass of the 1/2-fineness-ratio cylinder had to be reduced by a factor greater than three. Further tests wherein the cylinder diameter was held constant while the cylinder length was systematically reduced showed that a cylinder with a fineness ratio of 0.07 and a mass of only 1/7 that of the sphere was still capable of producing a hole in the rear sheet.

Morrison, R. H.↗

Critical Joints in Large Composite Primary Aircraft Structures. Volume 3: Ancillary Test Results

A program was conducted to develop the technology for critical structural joints for composite wing structure that meets all the design requirements of a 1990 commercial transport aircraft. The results of a comprehensive ancillary test program are summarized, consisting of single-bolt composite joint specimens tested in a variety of configurations. These tests were conducted to characterize the strength and load deflection properties that are required for multirow joint analysis. The composite material was Toray 300 fiber and Ciba-Geigy 914 resin, in the form of 0.005 and 0.01 inch thick unidirectional tape. Tests were conducted in single and double shear for loaded and unloaded hole configurations under both tensile and compressive loading. Two different layup patterns were examined. All tests were conducted at room temperature. In addition, the results of NASA Standard Toughness Test (NASA RP 1092) are reported, which were conducted for several material systems.

Bunin, Bruce L.↗

Simulation of a spatial, servo-hydraulic test facility for space structures

In this paper different control concepts for servo-hydraulic test facilities are derived using exact linearization techniques. Based on different linear and nonlinear models of the test table and the actuator dynamics several nonlinear controllers of different complexity are derived. The closed loop system performance of the controlled servo-hydraulic test facility is tested in various computer simulations using both, standard test signals and large test signals as system inputs. The simulation results turn out, that in case of standard input signals the test facility controller must include a linear test table mechanics model and a nonlinear servo-hydraulic actuator model. Additional simulations demonstrate the robustness of the control concept selected for standard test signals with respect to variations of plant parameters.

Leimbach, K.-D.↗

Innovative design of composite structures: Design, manufacturing, and testing of plates utilizing curvilinear fiber trajectories

As a means of improving structural design, the concept of fabricating flat plates containing holes by incorporating curvilinear fiber trajectories to transmit loads around the hole is studied. In the present discussion this concept is viewed from a structural level, where access holes, windows, doors, and other openings are of significant size. This is opposed to holes sized for mechanical fasteners. Instead of cutting the important load-bearing fibers at the hole edge, as a conventional straightline design does, the curvilinear design preserves the load-bearing fibers by orienting them in smooth trajectories around the holes, their loading not ending abruptly at the hole edge. Though the concept of curvilinear fiber trajectories has been studied before, attempts to manufacture and test such plates have been limited. This report describes a cooperative effort between Cincinnati Milacron Inc., NASA Langley Research Center, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to design, manufacture, and test plates using the curvilinear fiber trajectory concept. The paper discusses details of the plate design, details of the manufacturing, and a summary of results from testing the plates with inplane compressive buckling loads and tensile loads. Comparisons between the curvilinear and conventional straightline fiber designs based on measurements and observation are made. Failure modes, failure loads, strains, deflections, and other key responses are compared.

Hyer, M. W.↗

Spacecraft Vibration Testing: Benefits and Potential Issues

JPL has traditionally performed system level vibration testing of flight spacecraft. The benefits and potential issues of fully assembled flight spacecraft vibration testing are discussed herein. The following specific topics, which may be complementary to the special session on “Virtual Vibration Testing,” are discussed: spacecraft workmanship, functional and structural integrity testing to uncover workmanship problems, force- and moment-limited vibration testing, potential issues with structural frequency identification using base shake test data, and several failures related to vibration shaker testing. The information provided in this paper is complementary to the special session on “Virtual Shaker Testing,’ and attention is given to issues that virtual shaker testing may face.

Kolaini, Ali R.↗

Ground test experience with large composite structures for commercial transports

The initial ground test of each component resulted in structural failure at less than ultimate design loads. While such failures represent major program delays, the investigation and analysis of each failure revealed significant lessons for effective utilization of composites in primary structure. Foremost among these are secondary loads that produce through-the-thickness forces which may lead to serious weaknesses in an otherwise sound structural design. The sources, magnitude, and effects of secondary loads need to be thoroughly understood and accounted for by the designers of composite primary aircraft structures.

Bohon, H. L.↗

Ground test experience with large composite structures for commercial transports

The initial ground test of each component resulted in structural failure at less than ultimate design loads. While such failures represent major program delays, the investigation and analysis of each failure revealed significant lessons for effective utilization of composites in primary structure. Foremost among these are secondary loads that produce through-the-thickness forces which may lead to serious weaknesses in an otherwise sound structural design. The sources, magnitude, and effects of secondary loads need to be thoroughly understood and accounted for by the designers of composite primary aircraft structures.

Bohon, H. L.↗

Multiple Boundary Condition Tests (MBCT) for verification of large space structures

The Multiple Boundary Condition Tests (MBCT) approach is evaluated and recent modifications are described. For the application of MBCT, 12 different boundary conditions are selected and the results of applying MBCT in conjunction with a nonlinear formulation are indicated schematically. It is concluded that the nonlinear formulation enhances the ability to implement the MBCT test approach on large space structures which cannot be ground tested without the artificial boundary conditions incorporated in MBCT. In addition, it leads to significant improvements in the convergence to the correct solution.

Wada, B. K.↗