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At least 793 records · Page 44

Effect of wall cooling on the stability of compressible subsonic flows over smooth humps and backward-facing steps

The effect of wall cooling on the two-dimensional linear stability of subsonic flows over two-dimensional surface imperfections is investigated. Results are presented for flows over smooth humps and backward-facing steps with Mach numbers up to 0.8. The results show that, whereas cooling decreases the viscous instability, it increases the shear-layer instability and hence it increases the growth rates in the separation region. The coexistence of more than one instability mechanism makes a certain degree of wall cooling most effective. For the Mach numbers 0.5 and 0.8, the optimum wall temperatures are about 80 pct and 60 pct of the adiabatic wall temperature, respectively. Increasing the Mach number decreases the effectiveness of cooling slightly and reduces the optimum wall temperature.

Al-Maaitah, Ayman A.↗

Effect of wall cooling on the stability of compressible subsonic flows over smooth humps and backward-facing steps

The effect of wall cooling on the two-dimensional linear stability of subsonic flows over two-dimensional surface imperfections is investigated. Results are presented for flows over smooth humps and backward-facing steps with Mach numbers up to 0.8. The results show that, whereas cooling decreases the viscous instability, it increases the shear-layer instability and hence it increases the growth rates in the separation region. The coexistence of more than one instability mechanism makes a certain degree of wall cooling most effective. For the Mach numbers 0.5 and 0.8, the optimum wall temperatures are about 80 pct and 60 pct of the adiabatic wall temperature, respectively. Increasing the Mach number decreases the effectiveness of cooling slightly and reduces the optimum wall temperature.

Al-Maaitah, Ayman A.↗

Numerical calculation of steady inviscid full potential compressible flow about wind turbine blades

An exact nonlinear mathematical model that accounts for three-dimensional cascade effects about the inner portions of the rotor blades and compressibility effects about the tip regions of the blades was derived. An artificially time dependent version was iteratively solved by a finite volume technique involving an artificial viscosity and a three-level consecutive mesh refinement. The exact boundary conditions were applied by generating a boundary conforming periodic computation mesh.

Dulikravich, D. S.↗

The stability of a compressible stratified shear layer

The stability of a shear layer under the effect of gravity is investigated using the compressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations, including an effective gravity term to represent the curvature effects of the flow and magnetic field line geometry. A general eigenmode equation is derived for a two-dimensional MHD fluid, and an energy-principle analysis to explain the effect of compressibility on the critical Richardson number is presented. For the case of a hyperbolic tangent shear flow and exponential density profile, it was found that, in the Boussinesq approximation, the compressibility raises the critical Richardson number from 1/4 to as much as 1/2, with the exact value depending on the value of the magnetic field at infinity. Under approximation of a strong asymptotic magnetic field, without invoking the Boussinesq approximation, it is shown both analytically and numerically that the density gradient terms cause the shear instability to be dispersive. The long-wavelength stability boundary for the Richardson number J = 0 is characterized by a normalized phase velocity c =

Wang, Z.↗

Rapid distortion analysis and direct simulation of compressible homogeneous turbulence at finite Mach number

The effect of rapid mean compression on compressible turbulence at a range of turbulent Mach numbers is investigated. Rapid distortion theory (RDT) and direct numerical simulation results for the case of axial (one-dimensional) compression are used to illustrate the existence of two distinct rapid compression regimes. These regimes are set by the relationships between the timescales of the mean distortion, the turbulence, and the speed of sound. A general RDT formulation is developed and is proposed as a means of improving turbulence models for compressible flows.

Cambon, C.↗

Rapid Distortion Analysis and Direct Simulation of Compressible Homogeneous Turbulence at Finite Mach Number

The effect of rapid mean compression on compressible turbulence at a range of turbulent Mach numbers is investigated. Rapid dist'ortion theory (RDT) and direct numerical simulation results for the case of axial (one-dimensional) compression are used to illustrate the existence of two distinct rapid compression regimes. These regimes - the nearly solenoidal and the 'pressure-released' - are defined by a single parameter involving the timescales of the mean distortion, the turbulence, and the speed of sound. A general RDT formulation is developed and is proposed as a means of improving turbulence models for compressible flows. In contrast to the well-documented observation that 'compressibility' (measured, for example, by the turbulent Mach number) is often associated with a decrease in the growth rate of turbulent kinetic energy, we find that under rapid distortion compressibility can produce an amplification of the kinetic energy growth rate. We also find that as the compressibility increases, the magnitude of the pressure-dilation correlation increases, in absolute terms, but its relative importance decreases compared to the magnitude of the kinetic energy production.

Cambon, C.↗

Open hole and postimpact compressive fatigue of stitched and unstitched carbon-epoxy composites

The performance is studied of a stitched uniweave fabric composite and that of a toughened tape composite. The effects of stitching on compression fatigue life are addressed. Post impact compression fatigue and open hole fatigue tests were run on an AS4/3501-6 uniweave with stitching and a toughened IM7/8551-7 tape without stitching. Stitching was found to increase the thickness and consequently the weight of the composite material. The two materials were compared on an equal carbon content basis as well as on an equal weight basis. The excess thickness in the stitched uniweave composite was responsible for the lower fatigue life, on an equal carbon basis, compared to the toughened resin tape composite. Comparison of fatigue lives on an equal carbon content basis indicated that puncture or crimp type damage from stitching has very little effect on compression failure. Post impact fatigue test showed that although the damage area in the stitched uniweave composite was twice that of the toughened tape composite, the fatigue lives of the stitched composite were significantly longer than those of the toughened composite. Thus, it appears that the increase in thickness from stitching is much more of a penalty than crimped fibers or puncture type damage from stitching.

Portanova, Marc A.↗

Oscillatory Excitation of Unsteady Compressible Flows over Airfoils at Flight Reynolds Numbers

An experimental investigation, aimed at delaying flow separation due to the occurrence of a shock-wave-boundary-layer interaction, is reported. The experiment was performed using a NACA 0012 airfoil and a NACA 0015 airfoil at high Reynolds number incompressible and compressible flow conditions. The effects of Mach and Reynolds numbers were identified, using the capabilities of the cryogenic-pressurized facility to maintain one parameter fixed and change the other. Significant Reynolds number effects were identified in the baseline compressible flow conditions even at Reynolds number of 10 and 20 million. The main objectives of the experiment were to study the effects of periodic excitation on airfoil drag-divergence and to alleviate the severe unsteadiness associated with shock-induced separation (known as "buffeting"). Zero-mass-flux oscillatory blowing was introduced through a downstream directed slot located at 10% chord on the upper surface of the NACA 0015 airfoil. The effective frequencies generated 2-4 vortices over the separated region, regardless of the Mach number. Even though the excitation was introduced upstream of the shock-wave, due to experimental limitations, it had pronounced effects downstream of it. Wake deficit (associated with drag) and unsteadiness (associated with buffeting) were significantly reduced. The spectral content of the wake pressure fluctuations indicates of steadier flow throughout the frequency range when excitation was applied. This is especially important at low frequencies which are more likely to interact with the airframe.

Seifert, Avi↗

Effect of impact damage and holes on the compressive strength of a graphite/epoxy laminate

An experimental investigation has been conducted to determine the effect of low-velocity impact damage and unloaded circular holes on the compressive strength of a 48-ply orthotropic graphite/epoxy flat laminate. Specimens were impacted by a 1.27-cm-diameter aluminum sphere with speeds from 52 to 101 m/x to simulate momenta typical of low-velocity impact hazards that can occur in commercial aircraft service. It is shown that low-velocity impact damage can significantly degrade the static compressive strength of the laminate. Specimens that fail at axial strains above 0.008 in the undamaged condition can fail at strains as low as 0.0031 when impacted at 100 m/s. Circular holes also reduce the static compressive strength of the laminate. The failure strain decreases as the hole diameter increases.

Starnes, J. H., Jr.↗

Homomorphic data compression for real time photon correlation analysis

The construction of highly coherent X-ray sources, combined with next-generation detectors that are larger and faster, has enabled new research opportunities across the scientific landscape. Among the techniques that benefit most from these advancements is X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS), where faster acquisition unlocks the ability to study faster dynamics within samples. However, faster acquisition on larger detectors also introduces unprecedented challenges for online data processing and offline data storage. Such challenges are particularly prominent for XPCS, where real time analyses require simultaneous calculation of all the previously acquired data in the time series. We present a homomorphic compression scheme to effectively reduce the computational time and memory space required for XPCS analysis. Leveraging similarities in the mathematical expression between a matrix-based compression algorithm and the correlation calculation, our approach allows direct operation on the compressed data without their decompression. The offline compression scheme extends storage capacity by a factor of 40 while preserving key features in the lossy compressed data. Meanwhile, the online compression scheme reduces the computational time to below 1 ms, enabling real time calculation of the correlation functions at kHz framerate. Our demonstration of a homomorphic compression of scientific data provides an effective solution to the big data challenge at coherent light sources. Beyond the example shown in this work, the framework can be extended to facilitate real-time operations directly on a compressed data stream for other techniques.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Melt-Spun PAN Precursor for Cost-Effective Carbon Fibers in High Pressure Compressed Gas Tankage

The objective of this program was to synthesize melt-spinnable polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor that will lead to carbon fiber 25% less expensive than carbon fiber produced from conventional PAN precursor when produced in large volumes. The carbon fiber produced from this precursor needs to achieve ≥ 700 ksi tensile strength with this cost reduction to replace the incumbent fiber. In this program, the technology for producing precursor and then converted carbon fiber (CF) capable of meeting the 700 ksi target was to be demonstrated at a small scale in tows, containing ≥ 100 filaments. If this program moved on to a “Phase 2”, the processes would be scaled up to produce and test Type IV compressed gas storage tanks capable of meeting the 700-bar ultimate targeted FOA performance level. Precursor fiber production typically contributes a large fraction (~50%) to finished CF manufactured cost. Presently, all high strength CFs are manufactured from solution spun PAN precursor, accomplished at low temperatures using large amounts of environmentally unfriendly solvents that impart major impact to line speed and costs involved with handling and reclaiming the solvents and associated “waste streams” required in spinning and extracting those solvents. PAN melt spinning was demonstrated by the company BASF in CF precursor production and used in production of some other acrylic fibers, but significant production challenges remain for meeting the established CF metrics. Melt spinning requires use of plasticizers to suppress the melt temperature of the predominantly PAN formulation to a point sufficiently below the temperature of significant cross-linking. Fortunately, BASF and this team’s earlier work had demonstrated acrylic formulations melt spun with combinations of plasticizing solvents at much lower solvent levels. This project team made significant progress in understanding technical issues and identifying formulation pathways in earlier work in this area where >250ksi strength was achieved. The goal of this program was to pursue a more comprehensive approach with a larger, more diverse team having greater equipment design and overall production capabilities to push rapidly beyond the science to resolve remaining “engineering” issues associated with establishing stable, continuous processes for precursor fiber leading to enhanced, cost-effective CF and composite tank production.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Considerations on the effect of wind-tunnel walls on oscillating air forces for two-dimensional subsonic compressible flow

This report treats the effect of wind-tunnel walls on the oscillating two-dimensional air forces in a compressible medium. The walls are simulated by the usual method of placing images at appropriate distances above and below the wing. An important result shown is that, for certain conditions of wing frequency, tunnel height, and Mach number, the tunnel and wing may form a resonant system so that the forces on the wing are greatly changed from the condition of no tunnel walls. It is pointed out that similar conditions exist for three-dimensional flow in circular and rectangular tunnels and apparently, within certain Mach number ranges, in tunnels of nonuniform cross section or even in open tunnels or jets.

Runyan, Harry L↗

The combined effect of temperature and seawater on the compression properties of carbon fiber vinyl ester composites for sandwich structures

For naval applications, composite sandwich structures are of significant interest, and are often manufactured using thin (2 to 4 mm) composite facings made from carbon or glass fiber reinforcement, attached to a thick (25 to 50 mm) section of PVC cellular foam or balsa wood-based core materials using a suitable polymeric resin. In the present study, we focus on the hygrothermal effect on the fiber-dominated compression properties of carbon fiber reinforced vinyl ester resin based polymeric composite (CF/VE), used as “skin” for a polymeric composite sandwich material. Hygrothermal conditioning is achieved by saturating samples in simulated seawater at 40°C. Compression properties are evaluated for coupons extracted along warp and fill undergoing- no conditioning, conditioning till saturation (up to 6 months), and long-term conditioning (2 years). Sea-water saturation yields in up to 12% drop in compression strength with a further 3–4% drop resulting from long-term conditioning. No statistically significant modulus degradation is noticed due to short or long-term hygrothermal exposure. The failure mechanism of the warp extracted coupon, which fails in a splitting failure mode originating due to the delamination between the 0/90 interface, or the fill extracted coupon, which fails due to the instability caused by tow micro-buckling, remains unchanged due to combined exposure (short or long-term) of seawater and temperature. The loss in strength is attributed to the degradation of the fiber-matrix interface, which is validated via conducting single fiber push-in tests with a nominal diameter of 7 micron for conditioned and unconditioned coupons.

Engineering↗

Charts for checking the stability of compression members in trusses

The present report contains a set of charts developed for computing the fixity effect on a compression member in a truss through its adjacent members, the amount of fixity being considered variable with the particular total truss load. The use of the charts is illustrated on two- and three-bay systems, as well as on a triangular truss.

Borkmann, K↗

Effect of Crystallinity on Polymer Chain Compression in Polyethylene Dynamically Loaded with In-Situ X-Ray Diffraction

Abstract Polyethylene (PE) is a polymer widely used in commercial applications, where the properties of PE can be altered based on the molecular conformation. In this study, shock compression experiments with in-situ x-ray diffraction were conducted on two conformations of PE– low density polyethylene (LDPE) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Encouragingly, X-ray diffraction patterns were easily observed in LDPE, which is only 25% crystalline. In agreement with a previous study on HDPE, LDPE exhibited a phase transition at 7.7 GPa. Lower pressure experiments on UHMWPE and LDPE exhibited polymer chain compression, but no occurrence of a phase transition.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nonlinear post-compression in multi-pass cells in the mid-IR region using bulk materials

We numerically investigate the regime of nonlinear pulse compression at mid-IR wavelengths in a multi-pass cell (MPC) containing a dielectric plate. This post-compression setup allows for ionization-free spectral broadening and self-compression while mitigating self-focusing effects. We find that self-compression occurs for a wide range of MPC and pulse parameters and derive scaling rules that enable its optimization. We also reveal the solitonic dynamics of the pulse propagation in the MPC and its limitations and show that spatiotemporal/spectral couplings can be mitigated for appropriately chosen parameters. In addition, we reveal the formation of spectral features akin to quasi-phase matched degenerate four-wave mixing. Finally, we present two case studies of self-compression at 3-μm and 6-μm wavelengths using pulse parameters compatible with driving high-field physics experiments. The simulations presented in this paper set a framework for future experimental work using few-cycle pulses at mid-IR wavelengths.

Carlson, D. (ORCID:0000000346836463)↗