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At least 1,423 records · Page 79

Thermal and mechanical behavior of metal matrix and ceramic matrix composites

The present conference discusses local stresses in metal-matrix composites (MMCs) subjected to thermal and mechanical loads, the computational simulation of high-temperature MMCs' cyclic behavior, an analysis of a ceramic-matrix composite (CMC) flexure specimen, and a plasticity analysis of fibrous composite laminates under thermomechanical loads. Also discussed are a comparison of methods for determining the fiber-matrix interface frictional stresses of CMCs, the monotonic and cyclic behavior of an SiC/calcium aluminosilicate CMC, the mechanical and thermal properties of an SiC particle-reinforced Al alloy MMC, the temperature-dependent tensile and shear response of a graphite-reinforced 6061 Al-alloy MMC, the fiber/matrix interface bonding strength of MMCs, and fatigue crack growth in an Al2O3 short fiber-reinforced Al-2Mg matrix MMC.

Kennedy, John M.↗

Buckling and Damage Resistance of Transversely-Loaded Composite Shells

Experimental and numerical work was conducted to better understand composite shell response to transverse loadings which simulate damage-causing impact events. The quasi-static, centered, transverse loading response of laminated graphite/epoxy shells in a [+/-45(sub n)/O(sub n)](sub s) layup having geometric characteristics of a commercial fuselage are studied. The singly-curved composite shell structures are hinged along the straight circumferential edges and are either free or simply supported along the curved axial edges. Key components of the shell response are response instabilities due to limit-point and/or bifurcation buckling. Experimentally, deflection-controlled shell response is characterized via load-deflection data, deformation-shape evolutions, and the resulting damage state. Finite element models are used to study the kinematically nonlinear shell response, including bifurcation, limit-points, and postbuckling. A novel technique is developed for evaluating bifurcation from nonlinear prebuckling states utilizing asymmetric spatial discretization to introduce numerical perturbations. Advantages of the asymmetric meshing technique (AMT) over traditional techniques include efficiency, robustness, ease of application, and solution of the actual (not modified) problems. The AMT is validated by comparison to traditional numerical analysis of a benchmark problem and verified by comparison to experimental data. Applying the technique, bifurcation in a benchmark shell-buckling problem is correctly identified. Excellent agreement between the numerical and experimental results are obtained for a number of composite shells although predictive capability decreases for stiffer (thicker) specimens which is attributed to compliance of the test fixture. Restraining the axial edge (simple support) has the effect of creating a more complex response which involves unstable bifurcation, limit-point buckling, and dynamic collapse. Such shells were noted to bifurcate into asymmetric deformation modes but were undamaged during testing. Shells in this study which were damaged were not observed to bifurcate. Thus, a direct link between bifurcation and atypical damage could not be established although the mechanism (bifurcation) was identified. Recommendations for further work in these related areas are provided and include extensions of the AMT to other shell geometries and structural problems.

Wardle, Brian L.↗

Surface Segregation in Cu-Ni Alloys

Monte Carlo simulation is used to calculate the composition profiles of surface segregation of Cu-Ni alloys. The method of Bozzolo, Ferrante, and Smith is used to compute the energetics of these systems as a function of temperature, crystal face, and bulk concentration. The predictions are compared with other theoretical and experimental results.

Good, Brian↗

Evaluation of Coatings and Materials for Future Radiators

Radiators are used to reject energy from space vehicles through radiant heat transfer. They are typically the largest component in a vehicle's thermal control system and can have a large impact on the vehicle design and operation. NASA s current vision for exploration dictates that radiators for a Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), a Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM), and a lunar base will need to be developed. These applications present new challenges when compared to previous radiators on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS). In addition, many technological advances have been made that could positively impact future radiator design. This paper outlines new requirements for future radiators and documents a trade study performed to select the some promising technologies for further evaluation. The technologies include K1100 based carbon composites for the radiator surface as well as Optical Solar Reflectors (OSRs), a lithium based white paint, and electrochromic thin films for optical coatings. Coupons were made using these materials and tests were performed to characterize their performance. Testing included evaluating structural and thermal properties of the carbon composites, thermal cycling, launch pad weather simulation, and exposure to solar wind, and Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Tuan, George C.↗

The GEOS Chemistry Climate Model: Implications of Climate Feedbacks on Ozone Depletion and Recovery

The Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry Climate Model (GEOS CCM) has been developed by combining the atmospheric chemistry and transport modules developed over the years at Goddard and the GEOS general circulation model, also developed at Goddard. The first version of the model was used in the CCMVal intercomparison exercises that contributed to the 2006 WMO/UNEP Ozone Assessment. The second version incorporates the updated version of the GCM (GEOS 5) and will be used for the next round of CCMVal evaluations and the 2010 Ozone Assessment. The third version, now under development, incorporates the combined stratosphere and troposphere chemistry package developed under the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI). We will show comparison to past observations that indicate that we represent the ozone trends over the past 30 years. We will also show the basic temperature, composition, and dynamical structure of the simulations. We will further show projections into the future. We will show results from an ensemble of transient and time-slice simulations, including simulations with fixed 1960 chlorine, simulations with a best guess scenario (Al), and simulations with extremely high chlorine loadings. We will discuss planned extensions of the model to include emission-based boundary conditions for both anthropogenic and biogenic compounds.

Stolarski, Richard S.↗

Experimental Investigations of the Physical and Optical Properties of Individual Micron/Submicron-Size Dust Grains in Astrophysical Environments

Dust grains constitute a significant component of matter in the universe, and play an important and crucial role in the formation and evolution of the stellar/planetary systems in interstellar dust clouds. Knowledge of physical and optical properties of dust grains is required for understanding of a variety of processes in astrophysical and planetary environments. The currently available and generally employed data on the properties of dust grains is based on bulk materials, with analytical models employed to deduce the corresponding values for individual small micron/submicron-size dust grains. However, it has been well-recognized over a long period, that the properties of individual smallsize dust grains may be very different from those deduced from bulk materials. This has been validated by a series of experimental investigations carried out over the last few years, on a laboratory facility based on an Electrodynamic Balance at NASA, which permits levitation of single small-size dust grains of desired composition and size, in vacuum, in simulated space environments. In this paper, we present a brief review of the results of a series of selected investigations carried out on the analogs of interstellar and planetary dust grains, as well as dust grains obtained by Apollo-l1-17 lunar missions. The selected investigations, with analytical results and discussions, include: (a) Direct measurements of radiation on individual dust grains (b) Rotation and alignments of dust grains by radiative torque (c) Charging properties of dust grains by: (i) UV Photo-electric emissions (ii) Electron Impact. The results from these experiments are examined in the light of the current theories of the processes involved.

Abbas, M. M.↗

Spectroscopic Behavior of Composite, Black Thermal Paint, Solar Cell, and Multi-Layered Insulation Materials in a GEO Simulated Environment

The population of objects orbiting Earth is dominated by orbital debris. The following study presents reflectance spectroscopic measurements and bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) evaluations taken on common spacecraft materials (Table 1), some of which are likely candidates in the orbital debris population. Their optical properties were assessed in their pristine conditions, as well as after exposure in a space environmental chamber used to simulate space weathering. The materials studied will prove that they have excellent properties in resisting the effects of damage that are common in both low Earth orbit and geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) based on the research discussed in this work.

Reyes, Jacqueline A.↗

NASA Advanced Composites Project

The recently-completed NASA Advanced Composites Project (ACP) successfully developed several new technologies aimed at reducing the timeline to design and certify composite aircraft structures. Advancements in the areas of manufacturing simulation, nondestructive inspection and advanced structural design and analysis methodologies were completed in late 2019 under the Advanced Composites Consortium (ACC) public/private partnership as well as NRA-funded university contracts. In the area of Structures, the ACC made significant improvements in rapid design tools for preliminary sizing of structure, along with developing detailed static and fatigue strength prediction methods and methods for modeling high energy impact events in composite structures. These new methodologies and toolsets were validated against a range of representative test data using a comprehensive verification and validation approach which has been published and is now used extensively on other programs. Specific new tool improvements supported by ACC include NASA’s CompDam code and Floating Node Method code. CompDam is now available from NASA as open source code. The team alsoworked on improved impact modeling using LS-Dyna™ and improved delamination modeling using Abaqus™. Rapid design tool improvements are available through Hypersizer. The ACC team released well over 50 publications documenting these method improvements, and the ACP recently received the prestigious NASA Group Achievement Award for their work.Typical Hat Stiffened Panel Test Article Used for Method Validation

ACC↗

A Unifying View of Estimation and Control Using Belief Propagation With Application to Path Planning

The use of estimation techniques on stochastic models to solve control problems is an emerging paradigm that falls under the rubric of Active Inference (AI) and Control as Inference (CAI). In this work, we use probability propagation on factor graphs to show that various algorithms proposed in the literature can be seen as specific composition rules in a factor graph. We show how this unified approach, presented both in probability space and in log of the probability space, provides a very general framework that includes the Sum-product, the Max-product, Dynamic programming and mixed Reward/Entropy criteria-based algorithms. The framework also expands algorithmic design options that lead to new smoother or sharper policy distributions. We propose original recursions such as: a generalized Sum/Max-product algorithm, a Smooth Dynamic programming algorithm and a modified versions of the Reward/Entropy algorithm. The discussion is carried over with reference to a path planning problem where the recursions that arise from various cost functions, although they may appear similar in scope, bear noticeable differences. We provide a comprehensive table of composition rules and a comparison through simulations, first on a synthetic small grid with a single goal with obstacles, and then on a grid extrapolated from a real-world scene with multiple goals and a semantic map.

Francesco A. N. Palmieri↗

Analytical Simulation of Effects of Local Mechanisms and Microstructure on Creep Response of Unidirectional Ceramic Matrix Composites

A micromechanics-based method has been developed to analyze the creep response of uncoated ceramic matrix minicomposites. Although the global stress level at which the creep response is analyzed is lower than the composite proportional limit, local stresses are assumed to be high enough that localized damage is present in the composite in the form of matrix microcracks. To model the composite creep response, including the effects of matrix cracking, a fiber shear lag-based methodology is employed. In this approach, stresses are assumed to vary in the fiber as a function of time and distance from the crack plane. The varying stresses are then used to compute the overall creep strain for the composite. Various assumptions regarding the level of matrix microcracking in the composite and the level of creep in the fiber and matrix in various portions of the composite unit cell are also examined. The creep response of the fiber is modeled using a linear Burgers model. The model is applied to a SiCf/SiC unidirectional minicomposite system. The computed creep results are compared to experimentally obtained values. The effects of the local fiber volume fraction on the overall creep response of the composite are also studied. This work will allow increased understanding of the key material damage mechanisms and load sharing that take place during creep conditions and can be expanded to provide improved analysis methods for full macrocomposites.

Micromechanics↗

Mechanistic and Data-Driven Agent-Based Models to Explain Human Behavior in Online Networked Group Anagram Games

In anagram games, players are provided with letters for forming as many words as possible over a specified time duration. Anagram games have been used in controlled experiments to study problems such as collective identity, effects of goalsetting, internal-external attributions, test anxiety, and others. The majority of work on anagram games involves individual players. Recently, work has expanded to group anagram games where players cooperate by sharing letters. In this work, we analyze experimental data from online social networked experiments of group anagram games. We develop mechanistic and data-driven models of human reasoning to predict detailed game player actions (e.g., what word to form next). With these results, we develop a composite agent-based modeling and simulation platform that incorporates the models from data analysis. We compare model predictions against experimental data, which enables us to provide explanations of human reasoning and behavior. Finally, we provide illustrative case studies using agent-based simulations to demonstrate the efficacy of models to provide insights that are beyond those from experiments alone.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Comparison of High Level Waste Glass Feeds Containing Frit and Glass Forming Chemicals - 16154

This study compares the impact of frit and glass forming-chemicals on high level waste feed melting behavior. Feeds formulated to yield high-boron (lower waste loading) and low-boron (higher waste loading) glass compositions were prepared by blending a simulated high-level waste with glass-forming additives either in the form of chemicals or pre-melted as glass frit. The feeds were pressed into cylindrical disc-shaped pellets using a die tool and a hydraulic press. Each pellet was heat-treated in a high-temperature furnace equipped with a window to view the pellet's response to increasing temperature, usually up to 1100 deg. C, until the pellet turned into a molten glass droplet. A camera mounted in front of the viewing window was used to take high-quality pictures at predetermined intervals. Images were analyzed using a program that calculated the pellet profile area and volume as functions of temperature. The analyses are used to determine characteristic temperatures and associated volume expansions including foam onset and collapse. (authors)

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Alternative Impact Limiter Designs for Used/Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation Casks - 19496

With the need to eventually transport used/spent nuclear fuel (UNF/SNF) from existing storage sites to a consolidated interim storage facility, disposal site, and/or recycling facility, a preliminary evaluation was performed by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) in collaboration with Orano to examine the feasibility of an alternate impact limiter design for Used/Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation Casks. Many of the previous designs involved complex designs and in some cases, utilized scarce materials, which resulted in expensive impact limiter systems to build and procure. The objective of this evaluation was to examine the availability of alternative materials which could be potentially implemented in simpler designs and result in significant cost savings over some of the current impact limiters designs. The project was divided into three phases: (1) performance of a comprehensive survey of the energy absorbing properties of composite materials that have become available since the original impact limiter designs were licensed; (2) designing and modeling of an impact limiter capable of meeting the hypothetical accident conditions (HAC) identified in 10CFR71.73; and (3) testing of the new materials identified for use in the newly designed impact limiter and feeding this test date to model of the new impact limiter. To design and model the new impact limiter, a specific transportation cask system was selected which was the Orano TN MP187. This paper provides details of the three phases of the project and the estimated cost savings from the new impact limiters. (authors)

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