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NASA NTRS1992

Thermoviscoplastic response of thin plates subjected to intense local heating

A finite element method is employed to investigate the thermoviscoplastic response of a half-cylinder to intense localized transient heating. Thermoviscoplastic material behavior is characterized by the Bodner-Partom constitutive model. Structure geometry is modeled with a three-dimensional assembly of CST-DKT plate elements incorporating the large deflection von Karman assumptions. The paper compares the results of a dynamic analysis with a quasi-static analysis for the half-cylinder structure with a step-function transient temperature loading similar to that which may be encountered with shock wave interference on a hypersonic leading edge.

Byrom, Ted G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Fuzzy operators and cyclic behavior in formal neuronal networks

Formal neuronal networks (FNN), which are comprised of threshold gates, make use of the unit step function. It is regarded as a degenerated distribution function (DDF) and will be referred to here as a non-fuzzy threshold operator (nFTO). Special networks of this kind generating long cycles of states are modified by introduction of fuzzy threshold operators (FTO), i.e., non-degenerated distribution functions (nDDF). The cyclic behavior of the new nets is compared with the original ones. The interconnection matrix and threshold values are not modified. It is concluded that the original long cycles change the fixed points and short cycles, and as the computer simulations demonstrate, the aperiodic motion that is associated with chaotic behavior appears. The emergence of the above changes depend on the steepness of the threshold operators.

Labos, E.↗

NASA NTRS1993

New materials: Fountainhead for new technologies and new science

The role of materials as the benchmark technologies which give epochs of human history their names continues into the present. The discovery of new materials has nearly always been the source of new materials science, and frequently of new technologies. This paper analyzes the actual processes by which new materials are synthesized, i.e. whether driven by serendipitous observations, new knowledge is pulled by the market, or integrated into a technological thrust. This analysis focuses on modern ceramic materials discoveries, since World War 2 and uses 45 years experience in materials synthesis in the author's own laboratory as case studies. A dozen different families of materials or processes are involved: hydrothermal reactions; sol-gel processing; clays and zeolites; electroceramics; zero expansion ceramics; diamond films; and radioactive waste host phases. Nanocomposite concepts introduced by the author a decade ago offer an entire, large, new class of materials which will dominate synthesis for the next period. The future of materials research for the next 25 years cannot be extrapolated from the past 25 years. We are near the asymptote for materials utilization in most metals. Likewise we are approaching saturation in improvement of many useful properties. Justifying much further 'basic' R/D for incremental improvement in civilian-oriented industries will not be easy. In materials synthesis, the near-term future is sure to emphasize not new phases, but tailored micro- and nanocomposites for chemical, electrical, optical, and magnetic uses. Unexpected new discoveries such as the Lanxide process may offer rarer chances for step function advances. The new structure of knowledge management will rely less on local research than on integration of worldwide inputs. Better scientific and technological opportunities will lie in designing knowledge intensive materials to meet the new environmental and conservation goals, and the human needs of the very large numbers at the bottom of the socio-economic structures of the world.

Rustum, Roy↗

NASA NTRS1992

Expert systems for automated maintenance of a Mars oxygen production system

Application of expert system concepts to a breadboard Mars oxygen processor unit have been studied and tested. The research was directed toward developing the methodology required to enable autonomous operation and control of these simple chemical processors at Mars. Failure detection and isolation was the key area of concern, and schemes using forward chaining, backward chaining, knowledge-based expert systems, and rule-based expert systems were examined. Tests and simulations were conducted that investigated self-health checkout, emergency shutdown, and fault detection, in addition to normal control activities. A dynamic system model was developed using the Bond-Graph technique. The dynamic model agreed well with tests involving sudden reductions in throughput. However, nonlinear effects were observed during tests that incorporated step function increases in flow variables. Computer simulations and experiments have demonstrated the feasibility of expert systems utilizing rule-based diagnosis and decision-making algorithms.

Huang, Jen-Kuang↗

NASA NTRS1993

Modeling the densification of metal matrix composite monotape

We present a first model that enables prediction of the density (and its time evolution) of a monotape lay-up subjected to a hot isostatic or vacuum hot pressing consolidation cycle. Our approach is to break down the complicated (and probabilistic) consolidation problem into simple, analyzable parts and to combine them in a way that correctly represents the statistical aspects of the problem, the change in the problem's interior geometry, and the evolving contributions of the different deformation mechanisms. The model gives two types of output. One is in the form of maps showing the relative density dependence upon pressure, temperature, and time for step function temperature and pressure cycles. They are useful for quickly determining the best place to begin developing an optimized process. The second gives the evolution of density over time for any (arbitrary) applied temperature and pressure cycle. This has promise for refining process cycles and possibly for process control. Examples of the models application are given for Ti3Al + Nb, gamma TiAl, Ti6Al4V, and pure aluminum.

Elzey, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Some useful innovations with TRASYS and SINDA-85

Several innovative methods were used to allow more efficient and accurate thermal analysis using SINDA-85 and TRASYS, including model integration and reduction, planetary surface calculations, and model animation. Integration with other modeling and analysis codes allows an analyst to import a geometry from a solid modeling or computer-aided design (CAD) software package, rather than building the geometry 'by hand.' This is more efficient as well as potentially more accurate. However, the use of solid modeling software often generates large analytical models. The problem of reducing large models was elegantly solved using the response of the transient derivative to a forcing step function. The thermal analysis of a lunar rover implemented two unusual features of the TRASYS/SINDA system. A little-known TRASYS routine SURFP calculates the solar heating of a rover on the lunar surface for several different rover positions and orientations. This is used not only to determine the rover temperatures, but also to automatically determine the power generated by the solar arrays. The animation of transient thermal results is an effective tool, especially in a vivid case such as the 14-day progress of the sun over the lunar rover. An animated color map on the solid model displays the progression of temperatures.

Amundsen, Ruth M.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Deflections of anisotropic sandwich beams with variable face sheets and core thicknesses

A sandwich construction consists of a low-density core material with high strength face sheets bounded to the top and bottom surfaces. The construction has been widely used in the aerospace and marine industries due to its outstanding characteristics such as noise absorption, weight minimization, heat insulation, and better bending stiffness. In sandwich structures used in high-performance aircraft, the face sheets are often made of fiber-reinforced composite materials and the core is made of honeycomb. The structures may also have variable thickness so as to satisfy aerodynamic requirements. In the stress analysis, the constant-thickness face sheets are usually considered as membrane and the core is assumed to be inextensible but deformable in the thickness direction. The static behavior of variable-thickness, isotropic and homogeneous sandwich beams was successfully studied by employing a constant-thickness theory but allowing stiffnesses to vary in accordance with local thickness variations. It has been recently found in a refined theory that the analyses based on the constant thickness theory locally can lead to significant errors in structural responses if the sandwich beam is thickness-tapered and the cores are deformable in transverse shear. The errors arise mainly from two factors: (1) the transverse shear components of the membrane forces in the face sheets alter the transverse shears carried by the core; and (2) the face-sheet membrane strains arise from transverse shear deformation of the core. In practice the variable thickness may not only exist in core but also in face sheets. The thickness-variations may even be a type of step function. In this case the transverse shear stress in the face sheets and bending stress in the core should be taken into account in the refined theory mentioned. In the present study, energy principles are employed in deriving governing equations for general bending of anisotropic sandwich beams with variable thickness in both face sheets and cores. Solutions to these equations are based on a finite difference scheme. As an example in application, a simply supported thickness-tapered sandwich beam subject to a concentrated load at its center is considered. Let W' be the maximum deflection of the beam in which face sheets are considered as membrane, while W'' is that based on using the modified refined theory. It is found that W' is always larger than W'', however, the magnitude of (W'- W'') appears to be insensitive to the change of the taper of the beam.

Lu, Chu-Ho↗

NASA NTRS1995

A case and statistical study of transient magnetic field events at geosynchronous orbit and their solar wind origin

We present a statisical survey of Prognoz 10 solar wind observations at the times of transient (step function and impulsive) variations in the dayside magnetospheric magnetic field strength measured by the GOES 5 and 6 geosynchronous satellites. The results indicate that 51% of the magnetospheric events can be associated with corresponding variations in the solar wind dynamic pressure. A further 17% of the events can be associated with fluctuations in the interplanetary magnetic field orientation in the sense previously associated with foreshock pressure pulses. We find no tendency for impulsive events at dayside geosynchronous orbit to be associated with north/south fluctuations in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation, nor for the events to occur primarily during intervals of southward IMF. The success rate for associating transient events at dayside geosynchronous orbit with solar wind features decreases as Prognoz 10 moves farther from the Earth-Sun line. The observations indicate that variations in the solar wind dynamic pressure and foreshock pressure pulses associated with variations in the IMF cone angle are the predominant causes of large-amplitude transient events observed at dayside geosynchronous orbit.

Borodkova, N. L.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Weightless bubble lattices: A case of froth wicking

In the absence of gravity drainage, froth wicking draws excess fluid onto a bubble lattice. Capillary forces only cause fluid transport; a moving front moves stably and without fluid fingering along a constant velocity bubble-fluid contact line. This percolation of fluid crawling up the lattice shows fluid coverage on lattice borders varies linearly with available surface area (proportional to lattice perimeter) and fluid accelerates through regions or nests of high bubble density (number of bubbles/sq cm). The development of nearly two-dimensional bubble lattices in variable gravity (step function between 0.01 and 1.8 times earthly gravity) are examined experimentally and a zeroth-order model for froth wetting is presented, which captures many of the principal observations. Possible applications for bubble lattices include adhesion casting of metals and separation of biological cells, bacteria, and particles.

Noever, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Waveform Perturbations os Spherical Transiet Waves Propagating in a Random Medium

Of those aspects of sonic-boom propagation that are not yet fully understood, one of the more important is that which relates to the perturbations of the waveform. This phenomenon, which arises also in connection with the propagation of other types of transient waves in real media, generally take the form, in the case of sonic-boom N-waves, of a random high-frequency structure (sometimes called fine structure) that is most prominent in the regions immediately behind each of the shocks. The perturbations in those regions can be large, occasionally attaining magnitudes comparable to that of th incident wave itself. Such magnitudes, in combination with the high-frequency character of the perturbations, can lead to a considerable increase in the perceived noisiness of the sonic boom. Waveform perturbations are consequently an important factor as regards the question of sonic-boom acceptability. On the basis of observations, and some early theoretical studies, it is now generally accepted that perturbations of sonic-boom waveforms are a manifestation of the effect on the propagating wave of relatively small-scale variations in the acoustic properties of the atmosphere- variations that are usually associated with turbulence. Although the mechanism underlying perturbations of sonic-boom waveforms seems thus to be well understood, no fully-satisfactory theory of such perturbations has emerged. Indeed, even for the relatively simple case of an incident step-function pulse, no theory of waveform perturbations, formulated in a realistic three-dimensional context, has been advanced that is valid in the region of strongest perturbations; viz., the region immediately behind, and including, the wave front. The work reported herein represents an attempt to develop such a theory.

Wenzel, Alan R.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Electrodeposited CuInSe2 Thin Film Junctions

We have investigated thin films and junctions based on copper indium diselenide (CIS) which have been grown by electrochemical deposition. CIS is a leading candidate for use in polycrystalline thin film photovoltaic solar cells. Electrodeposition is a cost-effective method for producing thin-film CIS. We have produced both p and n type CIS thin films from the same aqueous solution by simply varying the deposition potential. A CIS pn junction was deposited using a step-function potential. Stoichiometry of the single layer films was determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy. Carrier densities of these films increased with deviation from stoichiometry, as determined by the capacitance versus voltage dependence of Schottky contacts. Optical bandgaps for the single layer films as determined by transmission spectroscopy were also found to increase with deviation from stoichiometry. Rectifying current versus voltage characteristics were demonstrated for the Schottky barriers and for the pn junction.

Raffaelle, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Electrodeposited CulnSe2 Thin Film Junctions

Raffaelle, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1998

MOLA Topography of the Crustal Dichotomy Boundary Zone, Mars

Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) profiles frequently cross the crustal dichotomy boundary where the transition zone (TZ) between cratered highland terrain (CT) and lowland smooth plains (SP) is marked by mesas and knobby terrain. The detailed topographic character of the boundary zone is longitudinally variable, as is the geomorphology of the TZ. Some portions of the boundary are associated with an outer ring of the Utopia impact basin; MOLA topography is consistent with this. The regional character of the boundary topography is a 2-4 km step function from nearly flat SP to almost as flat CT. This rise has a regional slope of 1-2 degrees, 50-100 times that of the Cr and SP away from TZ, which suggests a significant change in crustal properties (thickness, composition or both) across the TZ. The overall topography is very similar to that at some passive continent-oceanic crustal margins on the Earth, with the seafloor allowed to adjust upward after removal of the overlying water. A possible temporal constraint on the CT/SP elevation difference comes from two MOLA profiles which pass through two large (150 km diameter) craters located at the boundary in Aeolis. The N and S rims of the more degraded crater are at the same elevation; north of the N rim the topography drops by greater than 2 km to the floor of the TZ. This crater predates the elevation offset between CT and TZ floor. The better preserved crater (Gale) has a N rim 2 km lower than its S rim, and appears to have been emplaced on a pre-existing regional slope of about I degree. Gale probably post- dates the elevation difference between CT and TZ floor. Based on the stratigraphy of the units in which these craters are found, the elevation difference appears to have been in place in the Mid to Late Noachian.

Frey, Herbert V.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Co-Seismic Mass Dislocation and Its Effect on Earth's Rotation and Gravity

Mantle processes often involve large-scale mass transport, ranging from mantle convection, tectonic motions, glacial isostatic adjustment, to tides, atmospheric and oceanic loadings, volcanism and seismicity. On very short time scale of less than an hour, co-seismic event, apart from the "shaking" that is the earthquake, leaves behind permanent (step-function-like) dislocations in the crust and mantle. This redistribution of mass changes the Earth's inertia tensor (and hence Earth's rotation in both length-of-day and polar motion), and the gravity field (in terms of spherical harmonic Stokes coefficients). The question is whether these effects are large enough to be of any significance. In this paper we report updated calculation results. The calculation uses the normal mode summation scheme, applied to 15,814 major earthquakes that occurred during 1976-1998, according to source mechanism solutions given by the Harvard Central Moment Tensor catalog. Compared to the truly large ones earlier in the century, the earthquakes we study are individually all too small to have left any discernible signature in geodetic records of Earth rotation or global gravity field. However, their collective effects continue to exhibit an extremely strong statistical tendencies. For example, earthquakes conspire to decrease J(sub 2) and J(sub 22) while shortening LOD, resulting in a rounder and more compact Earth. Strong tendency is also seen in the earthquakes trying to "nudge" the Earth rotation pole towards about 140 degree E, roughly opposite to the observed polar drift direction. The geophysical significance and implications will be further studied.

Chao, Benjamin F.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Co-Seismic Mass Dislocation and its Effect on Earth's Rotation and Gravity

Mantle processes often involve large-scale mass transport, ranging from mantle convection, tectonic motions, glacial isostatic adjustment, to tides, atmospheric and oceanic loadings, volcanism and seismicity. On very short time scale of less than an hour, co-seismic event, apart from the shaking that is the earthquake, leaves behind permanent (step-function-like) dislocations in the crust and mantle. This redistribution of mass changes the Earth's inertia tensor (and hence Earth's rotation in both length-of-day and polar motion), and the gravity field (in terms of spherical harmonic Stokes coefficients). The question is whether these effects are large enough to be of any significance. In this paper we report updated calculation results based on Chao & Gross (1987). The calculation uses the normal mode summation scheme, applied to nearly twenty thousand major earthquakes that occurred during 1976-2002, according to source mechanism solutions given by the Harvard Central Moment Tensor catalog. Compared to the truly large ones earlier in the century, the earthquakes we study are individually all too small to have left any discernible signature in geodetic records of Earth rotation or global gravity field. However, their collective effects continue to exhibit an extremely strong statistical tendencies. For example, earthquakes conspire to decrease J2 and J22 while shortening LOD, resulting in a rounder and more compact Earth. Strong tendency is also seen in the earthquakes trying to nudge the Earth rotation pole towards approximately 140 degrees E, roughly opposite to the observed polar drift direction. The geophysical significance and implications will be further studied.

Chao, B. F.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Finite Element and Plate Theory Modeling of Acoustic Emission Waveforms

A comparison was made between two approaches to predict acoustic emission waveforms in thin plates. A normal mode solution method for Mindlin plate theory was used to predict the response of the flexural plate mode to a point source, step-function load, applied on the plate surface. The second approach used a dynamic finite element method to model the problem using equations of motion based on exact linear elasticity. Calculations were made using properties for both isotropic (aluminum) and anisotropic (unidirectional graphite/epoxy composite) materials. For simulations of anisotropic plates, propagation along multiple directions was evaluated. In general, agreement between the two theoretical approaches was good. Discrepancies in the waveforms at longer times were caused by differences in reflections from the lateral plate boundaries. These differences resulted from the fact that the two methods used different boundary conditions. At shorter times in the signals, before reflections, the slight discrepancies in the waveforms were attributed to limitations of Mindlin plate theory, which is an approximate plate theory. The advantages of the finite element method are that it used the exact linear elasticity solutions, and that it can be used to model real source conditions and complicated, finite specimen geometries as well as thick plates. These advantages come at a cost of increased computational difficulty, requiring lengthy calculations on workstations or supercomputers. The Mindlin plate theory solutions, meanwhile, can be quickly generated on personal computers. Specimens with finite geometry can also be modeled. However, only limited simple geometries such as circular or rectangular plates can easily be accommodated with the normal mode solution technique. Likewise, very limited source configurations can be modeled and plate theory is applicable only to thin plates.

Prosser, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Some Useful Innovations with Trasys and Sinda-85

Several innovative methods have been used to allow more efficient and accurate thermal analysis using SINDA-85 and TRASYS, including model integration and reduction, planetary surface calculations, and model animation. Integration with other modeling and analysis codes allows an analyst to import a geometry from a solid modeling or computer-aided design (CAD) software package, rather than building the geometry "by hand." This is more efficient as well as potentially more accurate. However, the use of solid modeling software often generates large analytical models. The problem of reducing large models has been elegantly solved using the response of the transient derivative to a forcing step function. The thermal analysis of a lunar rover implemented two unusual features of the TRASYS/SINDA system. A little-known TRASYS routine SURFP calculates the solar heating of a rover on the lunar surface for several different rover positions and orientations. This is used not only to determine the rover temperatures, but also to automatically determine the power generated by the solar arrays. The animation of transient thermal results is an effective tool, especially in a vivid case such as the 14-day progress of the sun over the lunar rover. An animated color map on the solid model displays the progression of temperatures.

Amundsen, Ruth M.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Co-Seismic Mass Displacement and its Effect on Earth's Rotation and Gravity

Mantle processes often involve large-scale mass transport, ranging from mantle convection, tectonic motions, glacial isostatic adjustment, to tides, atmospheric and oceanic loadings, volcanism and seismicity. On very short time scale of less than an hour, co-seismic event, apart from the "shaking" that is the earthquake, leaves behind permanent (step-function-like) displacements in the crust and mantle. This redistribution of mass changes the Earth's inertia tensor (and hence Earth's rotation in both length-of-day and polar motion), and the gravity field. The question is whether these effects are large enough to be of any significance. In this paper we report updated calculation results based on Chao & Gross. The calculation uses the normal mode summation scheme, applied to over twenty thousand major earthquakes that occurred during 1976-2002, according to source mechanism solutions given by the Harvard Centroid Moment Tensor catalog. Compared to the truly large ones earlier in the century, the earthquakes we study are individually all too small to have left any discernible signature in geodetic records of Earth rotation or global gravity field. However, their collective effects continue to exhibit an extremely strong statistical tendencies, conspiring to decrease J2 and J22 while shortening LOD, resulting in a rounder and more compact Earth. Strong tendency is also seen in the earthquakes trying to "nudge" the Earth rotation pole towards approx. 140 deg.E, roughly opposite to the observed polar drift direction. Currently, the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) is measuring the time-variable gravity to high degree and order with unprecedented accuracy. Our results show that great earthquakes such as the 1960 Chilean or 1964 Alaskan events cause gravitational field changes that are large enough to be detected by GRACE.

Chao, B. F.↗