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At least 163 records · Page 9

Computational simulation of acoustic fatigue for hot composite structures

This paper presents predictive methods/codes for computational simulation of acoustic fatigue resistance of hot composite structures subjected to acoustic excitation emanating from an adjacent vibrating component. Select codes developed over the past two decades at the NASA Lewis Research Center are used. The codes include computation of (1) acoustic noise generated from a vibrating component, (2) degradation in material properties of the composite laminate at use temperature, (3) dynamic response of acoustically excited hot multilayered composite structure, (4) degradation in the first-ply strength of the excited structure due to acoustic loading, and (5) acoustic fatigue resistance of the excited structure, including propulsion environment. Effects of the laminate lay-up and environment on the acoustic fatigue life are evaluated. The results show that, by keeping the angled plies on the outer surface of the laminate, a substantial increase in the acoustic fatigue life is obtained. The effect of environment (temperature and moisure) is to relieve the residual stresses leading to an increase in the acoustic fatigue life of the excited panel.

Singhal, S. N.

Description of a computer simulation of an orbital SAR system

In order to predict the performance of a synthetic aperture radar for a wide variety of system and environmental parameters a computer simulation of the SAR system was developed. This model is a detailed description of the SAR imaging process on a pulse-by-pulse basis. The simulation is implemented as seven computer programs for a CDC Cyber 171 digital computer.

Crow, G. L.

Computer simulation analysis of the behavior of renal-regulating hormones during hypogravic stress

A computer simulation of a mathematical circulation model is used to study the alterations of body fluids and their electrolyte composition that occur in weightlessness. The behavior of the renal-regulating hormones which control these alterations is compared in simulations of several one-g analogs of weightlessness and space flight. It is shown that the renal-regulating hormones represent a tightly coupled system that responds acutely to volume disturbances and chronically to electrolyte disturbances. During hypogravic conditions these responses lead to an initial suppression of hormone levels and a long-term effect which varies depending on metabolic factors that can alter the plasma electrolytes. In addition, it is found that if pressure effects normalize rapidly, a transition phase may exist which leads to a dynamic multiphasic endocrine response.

Leonard, J. I.

Development of a Space Radiation Monte Carlo Computer Simulation

The ultimate purpose of this effort is to undertake the development of a computer simulation of the radiation environment encountered in spacecraft which is based upon the Monte Carlo technique. The current plan is to adapt and modify a Monte Carlo calculation code known as FLUKA, which is presently used in high energy and heavy ion physics, to simulate the radiation environment present in spacecraft during missions. The initial effort would be directed towards modeling the MIR and Space Shuttle environments, but the long range goal is to develop a program for the accurate prediction of the radiation environment likely to be encountered on future planned endeavors such as the Space Station, a Lunar Return Mission, or a Mars Mission. The longer the mission, especially those which will not have the shielding protection of the earth's magnetic field, the more critical the radiation threat will be. The ultimate goal of this research is to produce a code that will be useful to mission planners and engineers who need to have detailed projections of radiation exposures at specified locations within the spacecraft and for either specific times during the mission or integrated over the entire mission. In concert with the development of the simulation, it is desired to integrate it with a state-of-the-art interactive 3-D graphics-capable analysis package known as ROOT, to allow easy investigation and visualization of the results. The efforts reported on here include the initial development of the program and the demonstration of the efficacy of the technique through a model simulation of the MIR environment. This information was used to write a proposal to obtain follow-on permanent funding for this project.

Pinsky, Lawrence S.

A digital computer simulation and study of a direct-energy-transfer power-conditioning system

A digital computer simulation technique, which can be used to study such composite power-conditioning systems, was applied to a spacecraft direct-energy-transfer power-processing system. The results obtained duplicate actual system performance with considerable accuracy. The validity of the approach and its usefulness in studying various aspects of system performance such as steady-state characteristics and transient responses to severely varying operating conditions are demonstrated experimentally.

Burns, W. W., III

Computer simulation of a wind tunnel test section with discrete finite-length wall slots

A computer simulation of a slotted wind tunnel test section which includes a discrete, finite-length wall slot representation with plenum chamber constraints and accounts for the nonlinear effects of the dynamic pressure of the slot outflow jet and of the low energy of slot inflow air was developed. The simulation features were selected to be those appropriate for the intended subsequent use of the simulation in a wall interference assessment procedure using sparsely located wall pressure measurements. It is demonstrated that accounting for slot discreteness is important in interpreting wall pressure measured between slots, and that accounting for nonlinear slot flow effects produces significant changes in tunnel-induced velocity distributions and, in particular, produces a longitudinal component of tunnel-induced velocity due to model lift. A characteristic mode of tunnel flow interaction with constraints imposed by the plenum chamber and diffuser entrance is apparent in simulation results and is derived analytically through a simplified analysis.

Kemp, W. B., Jr.

Computer simulation of a single pilot flying a modern high-performance helicopter

Presented is a computer simulation of a human response pilot model able to execute operational flight maneuvers and vehicle stabilization of a modern high-performance helicopter. Low-order, single-variable, human response mechanisms, integrated to form a multivariable pilot structure, provide a comprehensive operational control over the vehicle. Evaluations of the integrated pilot were performed by direct insertion into a nonlinear, total-force simulation environment provided by NASA Lewis. Comparisons between the integrated pilot structure and single-variable pilot mechanisms are presented. Static and dynamically alterable configurations of the pilot structure are introduced to simulate pilot activities during vehicle maneuvers. These configurations, in conjunction with higher level, decision-making processes, are considered for use where guidance and navigational procedures, operational mode transfers, and resource sharing are required.

Zipf, Mark E.

Computer simulation of cardiovascular changes during extended duration space flights

The application of mathematical modeling and computer simulation to the study of spaceflight cardiovascular changes is examined using a multicompartment representation model of the entire human cardiovascular system including its control elements. The model simulates the beat-to-beat dynamic responses of the cardiovascular system to orthostatic stresses. Simulation results pertaining to long-term space flight, the combined effect of +G(z) and blood volume loss, and the effect of anti-G suit inflation are discussed, including past results on the original version of the model which has been used in a number of analysis applications at NASA. New results pertain to analysis of cardiovascular changes in extended duration space flights and demonstrate the use of this model in evaluation of physiological factors that contribute to orthostatic intolerance following an exposure to weightlessness, in particular, blood volume loss and changes in the sensitivity of baroreceptors.

Srinivasan, R. Srini

pV3-Gold Visualization Environment for Computer Simulations

A new visualization environment, pV3-Gold, can be used during and after a computer simulation to extract and visualize the physical features in the results. This environment, which is an extension of the pV3 visualization environment developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with guidance and support by researchers at the NASA Lewis Research Center, features many tools that allow users to display data in various ways.

Babrauckas, Theresa L.

Computational simulation of high temperature metal matrix composite behavior

Computational procedures are described to simulate the thermal and mechanical behavior of high temperature metal matrix composite (HT MMC) in the following four broad areas: (1) behavior of HT MMC from micromechanics to laminate; (2) HT MMC structural response for simple and complex structural components; (3) HT MMC microfracture; and (4) tailoring of HT MMC behavior for optimum specific performance. Representative results from each area are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the computational simulation procedures. Relevant reports are referenced for extended discussion regarding the specific area.

Murthy, Pappu L. N.

Computer simulation of immobilized pH gradients at acidic and alkaline extremes - A quest for extended pH intervals

Computer simulations of the concentration profiles of simple biprotic ampholytes with Delta pKs 1, 2, and 3, on immobilized pH gradients (IPG) at extreme pH values (pH 3-4 and pH 10-11) show markedly skewed steady-state profiles with increasing kurtosis at higher Delta pK values. Across neutrality, all the peaks are symmetric irrespective of their Delta pK values, but they show very high contribution to the conductivity of the background gel and significant alteration of the local buffering capacity. The problems of skewness, due to the exponential conductivity profiles at low and high pHs, and of gel burning due to a strong electroosmotic flow generated by the net charges in the gel matrix, also at low and high pHs, are solved by incorporating in the IPG gel a strong viscosity gradient. This is generated by a gradient of linear polyacrylamide which is trapped in the gel by the polymerization process.

Mosher, Richard A.

Space station Simulation Computer System (SCS) study for NASA/MSFC. Volume 3: Refined conceptual design report

The results of the refined conceptual design phase (task 5) of the Simulation Computer System (SCS) study are reported. The SCS is the computational portion of the Payload Training Complex (PTC) providing simulation based training on payload operations of the Space Station Freedom (SSF). In task 4 of the SCS study, the range of architectures suitable for the SCS was explored. Identified system architectures, along with their relative advantages and disadvantages for SCS, were presented in the Conceptual Design Report. Six integrated designs-combining the most promising features from the architectural formulations-were additionally identified in the report. The six integrated designs were evaluated further to distinguish the more viable designs to be refined as conceptual designs. The three designs that were selected represent distinct approaches to achieving a capable and cost effective SCS configuration for the PTC. Here, the results of task 4 (input to this task) are briefly reviewed. Then, prior to describing individual conceptual designs, the PTC facility configuration and the SSF systems architecture that must be supported by the SCS are reviewed. Next, basic features of SCS implementation that have been incorporated into all selected SCS designs are considered. The details of the individual SCS designs are then presented before making a final comparison of the three designs.

Source record

Computer simulation of environmental, hazard scenarios in space

The development of the Advanced Computer Graphics Laboratory at NASA/JSC will enable NASA engineers to utilize state-of-the-art computer systems to simulate and analyze current and planned space missions. These systems utilize computer graphics to animate automated satellite rendezvous and docking, satellite servicing, tether operations, as well as remote manipulator activities and assembly of large space structures including the space station. These computer simulations enhance the engineering evaluation of possible hazardous scenarios in space by allowing users to view from any point in space these activities and determine if any potential problem could occur.

Brown, R. H.

Faulting parameters derived from computer simulation of earthquakes

Seismic source parameters, average displacement, rupture length, and strain energy release are investigated by computer simulation using a coupled massive block model of the sliding along an active fault. Average displacements and energy release vary considerably with the degree of heterogeneity in the friction and elastic parameters used in the model. Strain energy release is determined primarily by the product of dynamic friction, rupture length, and average displacement. Interrelationships among the faulting parameters are consistent with theoretical arguments and experimental data. The variation in the frequency of occurrence of simulation events with strain energy release is different from the variation in the frequency of naturally occurring events with seismic energy.

Cohen, S. C.