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At least 163 records · Page 9

Prediction of high speed propeller flow fields using a three-dimensional Euler analysis

To overcome the limitations of classical propeller theory, a computer program, NASPROP-E, was developed which solves for the flow field surrounding a multibladed propeller and axisymmetric nacelle combination using a finite difference method. The governing equations are the three dimensional unsteady Euler equations written in a cylindrical coordinate system. They are marched in time until a steady state solution is obtained. The Euler equations require no special treatment to model the blade work vorticity. The equations are solved using an implicit approximate factorization method. Numerical results are presented which have greatly increased the understanding of high speed propeller flow fields. Numerical results for swirl angle downstream of the propeller and propeller power coefficient are higher than experimental results. The radial variation of coefficient are higher than experimental results. The radial variation of swirl angle, however, is in reasonable agreement with the experimental results. The predicted variation of power coefficient with blade angle agrees very well with data.

Bober, L. J.

Bayesian analysis of nucleon-nucleon scattering data in pionless effective field theory

We perform Bayesian model calibration of two-nucleon (NN) low-energy constants (LECs) appearing in an NN interaction based on pionless effective field theory (πEFT). The calibration is carried out for potentials constructed using naive dimensional analysis in NN relative momenta (p) up to next-to-leading order [NLO, O(p 2 )] and next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order [N3LO, O(p 4 )]. We consider two classes of pionless πEFT potential: one that acts in all partial waves and another that is dominated by s-wave physics. The two classes produce broadly similar results for calibrations to NN data up to E lab = 5 MeV. Our analysis accounts for the correlated uncertainties that arise from the truncation of the pionless πEFT. We simultaneously estimate both the πEFT LECs and the parameters that quantify the truncation error. This permits the first quantitative estimates of the pionless πEFT breakdown scale, Λ b : the 95% intervals are Λ b ∈[50.11,63.03] MeV at NLO and Λ b ∈[72.27,88.54] MeV at N3LO. Furthermore, invoking naive dimensional analysis for the NN potential, therefore, does not lead to consistent results across orders in pionless πEFT. This exemplifies the possible use of Bayesian tools to identify inconsistencies in a proposed EFT power counting.

Bayesian methods

Aeroelastic Calculations Based on Three-Dimensional Euler Analysis

This paper presents representative results from an aeroelastic code (TURBO-AE) based on an Euler/Navier-Stokes unsteady aerodynamic code (TURBO). Unsteady pressure, lift, and moment distributions are presented for a helical fan test configuration which is used to verify the code by comparison to two-dimensional linear potential (flat plate) theory. The results are for pitching and plunging motions over a range of phase angles, Good agreement with linear theory is seen for all phase angles except those near acoustic resonances. The agreement is better for pitching motions than for plunging motions. The reason for this difference is not understood at present. Numerical checks have been performed to ensure that solutions are independent of time step, converged to periodicity, and linearly dependent on amplitude of blade motion. The paper concludes with an evaluation of the current state of development of the TURBO-AE code and presents some plans for further development and validation of the TURBO-AE code.

Bakhle, Milind A.

Two-dimensional computational analysis of a transport high-lift system and a comparison with flight-test results

Two currently available coupled inviscid/viscous multielement computational codes, including a relatively simple panel method and an Euler method, are used to analyze a high-lift system. The results are compared with two-dimensional wind-tunnel test results and then with the three-dimensional flight-test results obtained from the NASA Langley Transport Systems Research Vehicle five-element high-lift wing section. Comparisons were also made between the panel method, the Euler method, and flight data for two high-lift configurations, one representing a take-off configuration and the other an approach configuration. For the take-off configuration, both codes agreed reasonably well with experimental data, but both codes were found to overpredict the flap upper-surface pressures for the approach configuration.

Hardin, Jay D.

Development of Finite Elements for Two-Dimensional Structural Analysis Using the Integrated Force Method

The Integrated Force Method has been developed in recent years for the analysis of structural mechanics problems. This method treats all independent internal forces as unknown variables that can be calculated by simultaneously imposing equations of equilibrium and compatibility conditions. In this paper a finite element library for analyzing two-dimensional problems by the Integrated Force Method is presented. Triangular- and quadrilateral-shaped elements capable of modeling arbitrary domain configurations are presented. The element equilibrium and flexibility matrices are derived by discretizing the expressions for potential and complementary energies, respectively. The displacement and stress fields within the finite elements are independently approximated. The displacement field is interpolated as it is in the standard displacement method, and the stress field is approximated by using complete polynomials of the correct order. A procedure that uses the definitions of stress components in terms of an Airy stress function is developed to derive the stress interpolation polynomials. Such derived stress fields identically satisfy the equations of equilibrium. Moreover, the resulting element matrices are insensitive to the orientation of local coordinate systems. A method is devised to calculate the number of rigid body modes, and the present elements are shown to be free of spurious zero-energy modes. A number of example problems are solved by using the present library, and the results are compared with corresponding analytical solutions and with results from the standard displacement finite element method. The Integrated Force Method not only gives results that agree well with analytical and displacement method results but also outperforms the displacement method in stress calculations.

Kaljevic, Igor

Task III: Development of an Effective Computational Methodology for Body Force Representation of High-speed Rotor 37

A framework for an effective computational methodology for characterizing the stability and the impact of distortion in high-speed multi-stage compressor is being developed. The methodology consists of using a few isolated-blade row Navier-Stokes solutions for each blade row to construct a body force database. The purpose of the body force database is to replace each blade row in a multi-stage compressor by a body force distribution to produce same pressure rise and flow turning. To do this, each body force database is generated in such a way that it can respond to the changes in local flow conditions. Once the database is generated, no hrther Navier-Stokes computations are necessary. The process is repeated for every blade row in the multi-stage compressor. The body forces are then embedded as source terms in an Euler solver. The method is developed to have the capability to compute the performance in a flow that has radial as well as circumferential non-uniformity with a length scale larger than a blade pitch; thus it can potentially be used to characterize the stability of a compressor under design. It is these two latter features as well as the accompanying procedure to obtain the body force representation that distinguish the present methodology from the streamline curvature method. The overall computational procedures have been developed. A dimensional analysis was carried out to determine the local flow conditions for parameterizing the magnitudes of the local body force representation of blade rows. An Euler solver was modified to embed the body forces as source terms. The results from the dimensional analysis show that the body forces can be parameterized in terms of the two relative flow angles, the relative Mach number, and the Reynolds number. For flow in a high-speed transonic blade row, they can be parameterized in terms of the local relative Mach number alone.

Tan, Choon-Sooi

Detailed three-dimensional isentropic analysis using an objective cross-sectional approach

An approach is presented which is designed to give detailed, computationally-efficient meteorological objective analyses over data-rich regions, with results independent of numerical model influences. Observed station data and interstation gradients are used to interpolate pressure, wind, and moisture information from vertical cross-sections onto isentropci surfaces by means of cubic polynomials. Three-dimensional grid-point analyses of mass and moisture are obtained by first constructing a series of nearly parallel vertical cross sections over a specified area, and then filling in the space between adjacent vertical analyses by employing a second set of nearly orthogonal cross sections. Gradients obtained from the mass analyses are then combined with observed wind data to obtain thermally-consistent observed wind analyses. It is concluded that the resulting analyses are useful for preserving significnat horizontal and vertical gradients, such as those associated with jet-streak systems. Examples are given which verify the applicability of this analysis technique to radiosonde data.

Petersen, R. A.

Increased heat transfer to a cylindrical leading edge due to spanwise variations in the freestream velocity

The present study numerically demonstrates how small spanwise variations in velocity upstream of a body can cause relatively large increases in the spanwise-averaged heat transfer to the leading edge. Vorticity introduced by spanwise variations, first decays as it drifts downstream, then amplifies in the stagnation region as a result of vortex stretching. This amplification can cause a periodic array of 3 D structures, similar to horseshoe vortices, to form. The numerical results indicate that, for the given wavelength, there is an amplitude threshold below which a structure does not form. A one-dimensional analysis, to predict the decay of vorticity in the absence of the body, in conjunction with the full numerical results indicated that the threshold is more accurately stated as minimum level of vorticity required in the leading edge region for a structure to form. It is possible, using the one-dimensional analysis, to compute an optimum wavelength in terms of the maximum vorticity reaching the leading edge region for given amplitude. A discussion is presented which relates experimentally observed trends to the trends of the present phenomena.

Rigby, D. L.

Increased heat transfer to a cylindrical leading edge due to spanwise variations in the freestream velocity

The present study numerically demonstrates how small spanwise variations in velocity upstream of a body can cause relatively large increases in the spanwise-averaged heat transfer to the leading edge. Vorticity introduced by spanwise variations, first decays as it drifts downstream, then amplifies in the stagnation region as a result of vortex stretching. This amplification can cause a periodic array of 3D structures, similar to horseshoe vortices, to form. The numerical results indicate that, for the given wavelength, there is an amplitude threshold below which a structure does not form. A one-dimensional analysis, to predict the decay of vorticity in the absence of the body, in conjunction with the full numerical results indicated that the threshold is more accurately stated as minimum level of vorticity required in the leading edge region for a structure to form. It is possible, using the one-dimensional analysis, to compute an optimum wavelength in terms of the maximum vorticity reaching the leading edge region for given amplitude. A discussion is presented which relates experimentally observed trends to the trends of the present phenomena.

Rigby, D. L.

Influence of 2D Finite Element Modeling Assumptions on Debonding Prediction for Composite Skin-stiffener Specimens Subjected to Tension and Bending

The influence of two-dimensional finite element modeling assumptions on the debonding prediction for skin-stiffener specimens was investigated. Geometrically nonlinear finite element analyses using two-dimensional plane-stress and plane strain elements as well as three different generalized plane strain type approaches were performed. The computed deflections, skin and flange strains, transverse tensile stresses and energy release rates were compared to results obtained from three-dimensional simulations. The study showed that for strains and energy release rate computations the generalized plane strain assumptions yielded results closest to the full three-dimensional analysis. For computed transverse tensile stresses the plane stress assumption gave the best agreement. Based on this study it is recommended that results from plane stress and plane strain models be used as upper and lower bounds. The results from generalized plane strain models fall between the results obtained from plane stress and plane strain models. Two-dimensional models may also be used to qualitatively evaluate the stress distribution in a ply and the variation of energy release rates and mixed mode ratios with lamination length. For more accurate predictions, however, a three-dimensional analysis is required.

Krueger, Ronald

Parametric Geometry, Structured Grid Generation, and Initial Design Study for REST-Class Hypersonic Inlets

Computational design and analysis of three-dimensional hypersonic inlets with shape transition has been a significant challenge due to the complex geometry and grid required for three-dimensional viscous flow calculations. Currently, the design process utilizes an inviscid design tool to produce initial inlet shapes by streamline tracing through an axisymmetric compression field. However, the shape is defined by a large number of points rather than a continuous surface and lacks important features such as blunt leading edges. Therefore, a design system has been developed to parametrically construct true CAD geometry and link the topology of a structured grid to the geometry. The Adaptive Modeling Language (AML) constitutes the underlying framework that is used to build the geometry and grid topology. Parameterization of the CAD geometry allows the inlet shapes produced by the inviscid design tool to be generated, but also allows a great deal of flexibility to modify the shape to account for three-dimensional viscous effects. By linking the grid topology to the parametric geometry, the GridPro grid generation software can be used efficiently to produce a smooth hexahedral multiblock grid. To demonstrate the new capability, a matrix of inlets were designed by varying four geometry parameters in the inviscid design tool. The goals of the initial design study were to explore inviscid design tool geometry variations with a three-dimensional analysis approach, demonstrate a solution rate which would enable the use of high-fidelity viscous three-dimensional CFD in future design efforts, process the results for important performance parameters, and perform a sample optimization.

Ferlemann, Paul G.

Three-Dimensional Morphological Analysis of ALH84001 Magnetite Using Electron Tomography

We report here the crystal morphologies of MV-1 and ALH84001 magnetites as calculated by back-projection using electron tomography. In the present study, we used a 300 keV TEM with a field emission gun (Tecnai F-30 from FEI Inc.), equipped with a 2048 x 2048 pixel CCD camera from Gatan Inc. to image magnetite crystals over tilt ranges of approx. +/- 72 deg in 2 deg tilt intervals. The images were aligned for back-projection, either manually, or through the use of fiducial 5 nm Au spheres affixed to the specimen prior to microscopy. Three-dimensional (3-D) reconstructions were computed using weighted back-projection of the tilted views. The tomograms were viewed and analyzed as a series of slices 1.0 nm thick, taken parallel to the specimen-supporting grid, using the IMOD software package. The shape of each magnetite crystal was determined by defining the external contour of a given magnetite in each slice and assembling a stack of these contours in 3-D. To aid in visualization, the stacked contour array was reduced to an optimal mesh by Delaunay triangulation. The surface normal to each of the triangles in the mesh was calculated and the triangle faces colored according to the orientation of that surface normal relative to the principal crystallographic axis of magnetite. Green surfaces correspond to {111} orientations, blue surfaces to {100} orientations, and red surfaces to {110} orientations. Triangles whose surface normal did not correspond to one of the principal axes were colored gray. Within the experimental and numerical uncertainties of the deconvolution, the tomographic reconstruction of both MV-1 and ALH84001 magnetites are equivalent and correspond to a truncated hexa-octahedral morphology.

Thomas-Keprta, Kathie L.

A study of the use of abstract types for the representation of engineering units in integration and test applications

Physical quantities using various units of measurement can be well represented in Ada by the use of abstract types. Computation involving these quantities (electric potential, mass, volume) can also automatically invoke the computation and checking of some of the implicitly associable attributes of measurements. Quantities can be held internally in SI units, transparently to the user, with automatic conversion. Through dimensional analysis, the type of the derived quantity resulting from a computation is known, thereby allowing dynamic checks of the equations used. The impact of the possible implementation of these techniques in integration and test applications is discussed. The overhead of computing and transporting measurement attributes is weighed against the advantages gained by their use. The construction of a run time interpreter using physical quantities in equations can be aided by the dynamic equation checks provided by dimensional analysis. The effects of high levels of abstraction on the generation and maintenance of software used in integration and test applications are also discussed.

Johnson, Charles S.

Two-dimensional unsteady analysis of fluid forces on a whirling centrifugal impeller in a volute

Destabilizing fluid forces on a whirling centrifugal impeller rotating in a volute were observed. A quasisteady analysis neglecting shed vorticity or an unsteady analysis without a volute does not predict the existence of such destabilizing fluid forces on a whirling impeller. The effects of a volute and the shed vorticity are considered. We treat cases when an impeller with an infinite number of vanes rotates with a constant velocity omega and its center whirls with a constant eccentric radius epsilon and a constant whirling velocity psi. It is assumed that: (1) the number of the vanes is so large that the impeller can be treated as an actuator impeller in which the flow is perfectly guided; (2) flow is inviscid, incompressible and two dimensional; (3) the eccentricity epsilon is so small that unsteady components can be linearized; (4) vorticity is transported on a prescribed mean flow, the operating point is near design flow rate; and (5) the volute can be represented by a curved plate.

Tsujimoto, Y.

Numerical simulation of supersonic inlets using a three-dimensional viscous flow analysis

A three-dimensional fully viscous computer analysis, which retains the viscous nature of the Navier-Stokes equations, was evaluated to determine its usefulness in the design of supersonic inlets. This procedure takes advantage of physical approximations to limit the high computer time and storage associated with complete Navier-Stokes solutions. Computed results are presented for a Mach 3.0 supersonic inlet with bleed and a Mach 7.4 hypersonic inlet. Good agreement was obtained between theory and data for both inlets. Results of a mesh sensitivity study are also shown.

Anderson, B. H.

A two-dimensional thermal analysis of a new high-performance tubular solar collector

The first of two articles are presented which describe and analyze the thermal performance of a vacuum tube solar collector. The assumptions and mathematical modeling are presented. The problem is reduced to the formulation of two simultaneous linear differential equations characterizing the collector thermal behavior. After applying the boundary conditions, a general solution is obtained which is found similar to the general Hottel, Whillier and Bliss form but with a complex flow factor.

Lansing, F. L.

Transition prediction using three dimensional stability analysis

Several methods of transition prediction by linear stability analysis are compared. The spectral stability analysis code SALLY is used to analyze flows over laminar flow control wings. It is shown that transition by the envelope method and a new modified wave packet method are comparable in reliability but that the envelope method is more efficient computationally.

Malik, M. R.

Measurements of energy exchange between acoustic fields and non-uniform steady flow fields

Data were obtained for a resonance tube having a vent at the center in the lateral boundary, an average flow being introduced at the ends. Experiments were done for both circular and slot vents, over ranges of both frequency and Mach number. It was demonstrated that a subsonic exhaust vent in the lateral boundary of a cold flow resonance tube provides a gain of acoustic energy for the fundamental mode within the resonance tube. The gain of acoustic energy increases approximately linearly with the Mach number, as predicted by the one-dimensional analysis. The one-dimensional result gives the values for the slope representing the variation of the attenuation coefficient of the exhaust vent with respect to the average Mach number of the flow within roughly 30% of those measured. It has been verified that the subsonic vent produces a gain proportional to the average Mach number, proportional to the frequency, and independent of the shape. The results may be applicable to the study of vibration phenomena in solid propellant rocket engines.

Magiawala, K. R.