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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.

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At least 127 records · Page 7

Probabilistic structural analysis by extremum methods

The objective is to demonstrate discrete extremum methods of structural analysis as a tool for structural system reliability evaluation. Specifically, linear and multiobjective linear programming models for analysis of rigid plastic frames under proportional and multiparametric loadings, respectively, are considered. Kinematic and static approaches for analysis form a primal-dual pair in each of these models and have a polyhedral format. Duality relations link extreme points and hyperplanes of these polyhedra and lead naturally to dual methods for system reliability evaluation.

Nafday, Avinash M.↗

An improved far field drag calculation method for nonlinear CFD codes

An improved method to calculate drag based on far field conditions is presented and demonstrated. The method is illustrated using two CFD codes, PARC and CFL3D, and examining their ability to preserve lift and drag coefficients along grid line defined integration paths. The flow fields were generated by solving the Euler equations for a NACA 0012 airfoil at a free stream Mach number of 0.8 and angle of attack of 1.25 degrees. In comparison to force coefficients obtained by surface pressure integration, neither code acceptably preserved both force coefficients throughout the near and far fields. An investigation into the relationship between numerical prediction error and calculated force coefficients revealed a direct connection between solution mass conservation error and force coefficients error. A method to correct the predicted force coefficients based on integrated mass conservation error is described and demonstrated. The corrected force coefficients for both codes are shown to be more accurate than the uncorrected values. The correction method is applicable to both two and three dimensions and is independent of the algorithm used to generate the flow field.

Sirbaugh, James R.↗

Linguistic methodology for the analysis of aviation accidents

A linguistic method for the analysis of small group discourse, was developed and the use of this method on transcripts of commercial air transpot accidents is demonstrated. The method identifies the discourse types that occur and determine their linguistic structure; it identifies significant linguistic variables based upon these structures or other linguistic concepts such as speech act and topic; it tests hypotheses that support significance and reliability of these variables; and it indicates the implications of the validated hypotheses. These implications fall into three categories: (1) to train crews to use more nearly optimal communication patterns; (2) to use linguistic variables as indices for aspects of crew performance such as attention; and (3) to provide guidelines for the design of aviation procedures and equipment, especially those that involve speech.

Goguen, J. A.↗

Multigrid one shot methods for optimal control problems: Infinite dimensional control

The multigrid one shot method for optimal control problems, governed by elliptic systems, is introduced for the infinite dimensional control space. ln this case, the control variable is a function whose discrete representation involves_an increasing number of variables with grid refinement. The minimization algorithm uses Lagrange multipliers to calculate sensitivity gradients. A preconditioned gradient descent algorithm is accelerated by a set of coarse grids. It optimizes for different scales in the representation of the control variable on different discretization levels. An analysis which reduces the problem to the boundary is introduced. It is used to approximate the two level asymptotic convergence rate, to determine the amplitude of the minimization steps, and the choice of a high pass filter to be used when necessary. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated on a series of test problems. The new method enables the solutions of optimal control problems at the same cost of solving the corresponding analysis problems just a few times.

Arian, Eyal↗

Adjoint-Based Minimization of X-59 Sonic Boom Noise Via Control Surfaces

A multidisciplinary design optimization methodology to directly minimize the ground-level noise generated by a supersonic aircraft's sonic boom is presented. A gradient-based optimizer is coupled with a Cartesian Euler flow solver and an atmospheric propagation tool to forge a unique design capability. Adjoint formulations for both the flow solver and propagation tool are also coupled to provide sensitivities in an efficient manner. The design method is demonstrated on the X-59 Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator by optimizing control surface deflections to improve ground-level noise while maintaining trimmed cruise flight. Two noise minimization examples and a noise maximization are presented. All optimized designs result in measurable improvement in the ground-level noise objective. Extensive surveys of the design space confirm that the optimization method is effective in finding a local optimum. Moreover, repeated application of the method with varying initial design points also demonstrates the robustness of the method.

ARMD↗

Heat Transfer in Annular Passages - Hydrodynamically Developed Turbulent Flow with Arbitrarily Prescribed Heat Flux

The problem of turbulent flow heat transfer in a concentric circular tube annulus with fully developed velocity profile and constant heat rate per unit of length is considered. Experimentally obtained solutions are presented for the thermal entry length for a fluid with P(sub r) = 0·7. Asymptotic solutions (fully developed velocity and temperature profiles) are developed for a wide range of radius ratio, Reynolds number, and Prandtl number. The solutions are based on empirical velocity and eddy diffusivity profiles, and the validity of the solutions is demonstrated experimentally for P(sub r) = 0·7. A superposition method is demonstrated for solving the problem of asymmetric heating from the two surfaces of an annulus, and experimental data on asymmetric heating are presented which are in excellent agreement with the analysis. This paper is the third in a series (1, 2) culminating a four year study of heat transfer in annular passages.

Kays, W. M.↗

Relativistic and Correlation Effects in CuH, AgH and AuH: Comparison of Various Relativistic Methods

The effects of relativity on the bond lengths, dissociation energies, and harmonic vibrational frequencies of the 1Epsilon(+) electronic ground states of the group IB hydrides CuH, AgH and AuH have been evaluated with a variety of ab initio methods. These properties were investigated with moderately-sized basis sets at the self-consistent field Hartree Fock (SCF HF) level and with second-order Moller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory for electron correlation. Comparisons were made between all-electron results using the nonrelativistic Hamiltonian, perturbation theory (PT) at first-order with only the one-electron non-fine structure terms of the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian, the spin-free Douglas-Kroll (DK) transformed Dirac Hamiltonian and the untransformed Dirac Hamiltonian, and results using two sets of relativistic effective core potentials (RECPs). The expected trends of bond length decrease, dissociation energy increase and harmonic frequency increase with both relativity and correlation are found. Both sets of RECPs are shown to give good results, if accompanied by a reasonable basis set. The DK method is demonstrated to be an inexpensive, reliable approximation to the DHF method.

Collins, Charlene L.↗

Validation of SCIAMACHY and TOMS UV Radiances Using Ground and Space Observations

Verification of a stratospheric ozone recovery remains a high priority for environmental research and policy definition. Models predict an ozone recovery at a much lower rate than the measured depletion rate observed to date. Therefore improved precision of the satellite and ground ozone observing systems are required over the long term to verify its recovery. We show that validation of satellite radiances from space and from the ground can be a very effective means for correcting long term drifts of backscatter type satellite measurements and can be used to cross calibrate all B W instruments in orbit (TOMS, SBW/2, GOME, SCIAMACHY, OM, GOME-2, OMPS). This method bypasses the retrieval algorithms used for both satellite and ground based measurements that are normally used to validate and correct the satellite data. Radiance comparisons employ forward models and are inherently more accurate than inverse (retrieval) algorithms. This approach however requires well calibrated instruments and an accurate radiative transfer model that accounts for aerosols. TOMS and SCIAMACHY calibrations are checked to demonstrate this method and to demonstrate applicability for long term trends.

Hilsenrath, E.↗

Vibrations of twisted rotating blades

The literature dealing with vibrations of turbomachinery blades is voluminous, but the vast majority of it treats the blades as beams. In a previous paper a two-dimensional analytical procedure was developed and demonstrated on simple models of blades having camber. The procedure utilizes shallow shell theory along with the classical Ritz method for solving the vibration problem. Displacement functions are taken as algebraic polynomials. In the present paper the method is demonstrated on blade models having camber. Comparisons are first made with results in the literature for nonrotating twisted plates and various disagreements between results are pointed out. A method for depicting mode shape information is demonstrated, permitting one to examine all three components of displacement. Finally, the analytical procedure is demonstrated on rotating twisted blade modes, both without and with camber.

Leissa, A. W.↗

Trend Change Detection in NDVI Time Series: Effects of Inter-Annual Variability and Methodology

Changing trends in ecosystem productivity can be quantified using satellite observations of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). However, the estimation of trends from NDVI time series differs substantially depending on analyzed satellite dataset, the corresponding spatiotemporal resolution, and the applied statistical method. Here we compare the performance of a wide range of trend estimation methods and demonstrate that performance decreases with increasing inter-annual variability in the NDVI time series. Trend slope estimates based on annual aggregated time series or based on a seasonal-trend model show better performances than methods that remove the seasonal cycle of the time series. A breakpoint detection analysis reveals that an overestimation of breakpoints in NDVI trends can result in wrong or even opposite trend estimates. Based on our results, we give practical recommendations for the application of trend methods on long-term NDVI time series. Particularly, we apply and compare different methods on NDVI time series in Alaska, where both greening and browning trends have been previously observed. Here, the multi-method uncertainty of NDVI trends is quantified through the application of the different trend estimation methods. Our results indicate that greening NDVI trends in Alaska are more spatially and temporally prevalent than browning trends. We also show that detected breakpoints in NDVI trends tend to coincide with large fires. Overall, our analyses demonstrate that seasonal trend methods need to be improved against inter-annual variability to quantify changing trends in ecosystem productivity with higher accuracy.

Inter-Annual↗

Quiet Supersonic Flights 2018 (QSF18) Test: Galveston, Texas Risk Reduction for Future Community Testing with a Low-Boom Flight Demonstration Vehicle

The Quiet Supersonic Flights 2018 (QSF18) Program was designed to develop tools and methods for demonstration of overland supersonic flight with an acceptable sonic boom, and collect a large dataset of responses from a representative sample of the population. Phase 1 provided the basis for a low amplitude sonic boom testing in six different climate regions that will enable international regulatory agencies to draft a noise-based standard for certifying civilian supersonic overland flight. Phase 2 successfully executed a large scale test in Galveston, Texas, developed well documented data sets, calculated dose response relationships, yielded lessons, and identified future risk reduction activities.

Galveston↗

Quiet Supersonic Flights 2018 (QSF18) Test: Galveston, Texas Risk Reduction for Future Community Testing with a Low-Boom Flight Demonstration Vehicle

The Quiet Supersonic Flights 2018 (QSF18) Program was designed to develop tools and methods for demonstration of overland supersonic flight with an acceptable sonic boom, and collect a large dataset of responses from a representative sample of the population. Phase 1 provided the basis for a low amplitude sonic boom testing in six different climate regions that will enable international regulatory agencies to draft a noise-based standard for certifying civilian supersonic overland flight. Phase 2 successfully executed a large scale test in Galveston, Texas, developed well documented data sets, calculated dose response relationships, yielded lessons, and identified future risk reduction activities.

Galveston↗

Aircraft Dynamic Modeling in Turbulence

A method for accurately identifying aircraft dynamic models in turbulence was developed and demonstrated. The method uses orthogonal optimized multisine excitation inputs and an analytic method for enhancing signal-to-noise ratio for dynamic modeling in turbulence. A turbulence metric was developed to accurately characterize the turbulence level using flight measurements. The modeling technique was demonstrated in simulation, then applied to a subscale twin-engine jet transport aircraft in flight. Comparisons of modeling results obtained in turbulent air to results obtained in smooth air were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.

Morelli, Eugene A.↗

An evaluation of random analysis methods for the determination of panel damping

An analysis is made of steady-state and non-steady-state methods for the measurement of panel damping. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of random process techniques in conjunction with digital data reduction methods. The steady-state methods considered use the response power spectral density, response autocorrelation, excitation-response crosspower spectral density, or single-sided Fourier transform (SSFT) of the response autocorrelation function. Non-steady-state methods are associated mainly with the use of rapid frequency sweep excitation. Problems associated with the practical application of each method are evaluated with specific reference to the case of a panel exposed to a turbulent airflow, and two methods, the power spectral density and the single-sided Fourier transform methods, are selected as being the most suitable. These two methods are demonstrated experimentally, and it is shown that the power spectral density method is satisfactory under most conditions, provided that appropriate corrections are applied to account for filter bandwidth and background noise errors. Thus, the response power spectral density method is recommended for the measurement of the damping of panels exposed to a moving airflow.

Bhat, W. V.↗

Slowly oscillating lifting surfaces at subsonic and supersonic speeds.

The paper presents an unsteady aerodynamic influence coefficient method based on the low-frequency approximation. The influence coefficients are of a type which have been used to compute steady flow about wing-body combinations; therefore, the new method may be extended readily to low-frequency unsteady flow about wing-body combinations. The validity of the method is demonstrated by comparisons with numerical results from conventional, unsteady lifting surface methods. The method is valid for arbitrary wings in supersonic flow and for wings of finite span in subsonic flow. The method, when extended to include wing-body-tail interactions, will have important applications for predicting stability, control, and gust response characteristics of large airplanes. Dynamic stability derivatives and pressure distributions are given for several planforms. The comparison with either analytical or other well established numerical methods shows good agreement.-

Brune, G. W.↗

Feasibility of SPF/DB titanium sandwich for LFC wings

The feasibility of fabricating SPF/DB titanium structures of sufficient smoothness to be used for laminar flow wing surfaces was demonstrated. Two methods of fabricating panels which meet the surface smoothness criteria were demonstrated. The first consists of superplasticity forming/diffusion bonding a panel using steel dies, then machining the surface to the required flatness and finish after forming. This approach, however, was estimated to be more costly than the second approach, in which the panel is formed against ceramic platens which produce the desired surface smoothness without subsequent finishing. Four panels were fabricated, and their surface quality was evaluated. The specified criteria for waviness compared with actual measured values on the panels is shown. The acceptable surface quality as well as feasibility of the laminar flow control surface design, in which separate strips incorporating the boundary layer bleed provisions are bonded into slots on the surface, was also demonstrated.

Mcquilkin, F. T.↗

Methods for assessing wall interference in the 2- by 2-foot adaptive-wall wind tunnel

Discussed are two methods for assessing two-dimensional wall interference in the adaptive-wall test section of the NASA Ames 2 x 2-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel: (1) a method for predicting free-air conditions near the walls of the test section (adaptive-wall methods); and (2) a method for estimating wall-induced velocities near the model (correction methods), both of which methods are based on measurements of either one or two components of flow velocity near the walls of the test section. Each method is demonstrated using simulated wind tunnel data and is compared with other methods of the same type. The two-component adaptive-wall and correction methods were found to be preferable to the corresponding one-component methods because: (1) they are more sensitive to, and give a more complete description of, wall interference; (2) they require measurements at fewer locations; (3) they can be used to establish free-stream conditions; and (4) they are independent of a description of the model and constants of integration.

Schairer, E. T.↗

Time-dependent solution for axisymmetric flow over a blunt body with ideal gas, CF4, or equilibrium air chemistry

A time-asymptotic method has been used to obtain steady-flow solutions for axisymmetric inviscid flow over several blunt bodies including spheres, paraboloids, ellipsoids, and spherically blunted cones. Comparisons with experimental data and results of other computational methods have demonstrated that accurate solutions can be obtained using this approach. The method should prove useful as an analysis tool for comparing with experimental data and for making engineering calculations for blunt reentry vehicles.

Hamilton, H. H., II↗